A job offer from a Gmail or Yahoo address
By Bhagirath Sheela, founder of JobCatch ·
Already paid, or shared an OTP? Call 1930, the national cybercrime helpline, straight away, tell your bank, and report it at cybercrime.gov.in. The sooner it is reported, the better the chance the money can be frozen.
A message like this
Your profile has been shortlisted by our client company. For further process send your resume and documents to [email protected].
Be careful with this one
- The contact is a free email address such as Gmail, not a company address. Small firms do this too, so check that the company exists.
This is what the scam check in the JobCatch app says about the message above, word for word. The message is an example written the way these scams are written; the names and numbers in it are made up.
How this scam works
Anyone can create an email address like [email protected] in a minute. Scammers use free email accounts with a well-known company's name in them to look official, while keeping nothing traceable.
What a real employer does
Large and mid-size companies recruit from their own domain, such as [email protected]. Their recruiters' addresses match the company's website.
When it can be innocent
Small businesses, shops and startups sometimes really do hire from Gmail. Check that the business exists — an address, a website, reviews, a GST number on its invoices — before you send documents.
What to do
- Do not pay anything, and do not share an OTP or PIN.
- Look for the same job on the company's official website.
- If you have already paid, call 1930 (the national cybercrime helpline) straight away and tell your bank.
Questions
How do I check whether a recruiter's email is real?
Compare the domain with the company's official website, typed in yourself. Look out for near-misses such as an extra letter or a different ending. If in doubt, contact the company through its website and ask.
Is it safe to send my resume to a Gmail address?
A resume alone is low risk if it does not contain your Aadhaar, PAN or date of birth. Do not send identity documents or bank details until you have verified the company.
Other warning signs: Registration fees · Task scams · OTP and bank details · Penalty threats · WhatsApp-only recruiters · Selected without interview · Pressure to act now · Shortened links · all nine, in one guide