OVERSEAS JOB SCAM
PANAJI
In yet another case of an overseas job scam, a job seeker lost Rs 1.51 lakh over two months after falling victim to fraudulent employment promises in Bahrain.
Cyber Crime Cell SP Rahul Gupta informed that the victim, in December 2024, was searching for a job when she was referred to a person claiming to be hiring for an automobile company in Bahrain. The referral came through her known acquaintance.
Case details reveal that upon contacting the so-called recruiter, she was offered a Sales Consultant position with a monthly salary of Rs 90,000, along with company-provided accommodation. She proceeded with the application process.
“The fraud began when she was asked to pay Rs 80,000 for various employment-related formalities including a registration bill, a CPR card in the firm, an LRMA registration certificate, insurance and medical expenses. After paying the initial amount, the fraudster demanded additional money for ticket booking and visa processing. When she refused, she was threatened with losing her previously paid amount. She then paid the additional Rs 33,000,” Gupta said, disclosing the modus operandi of the fraudsters.
Further, she was coerced into making more payments under the pretext of currency fluctuations and delayed processing fees. The fraudster assured her that he would cover half of the remaining amount, convincing her to pay another Rs 38,000.
In total, she ended up paying Rs 1.51 lakh before realizing the scam. When the fraudster stopped responding to her calls, she filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
SP Gupta cautioned job seekers about the rising trend of “Overseas Job Offer Scams,” which prey on job seekers looking for lucrative employment abroad.
“This case is currently under investigation,” he said, adding that this scam, orchestrated through trust-building tactics and escalating financial demands, ultimately led to the victim’s financial loss.
