LinkedIn Lurkers- Dodging Job Scams and Cyber Sharks

Professional networks like LinkedIn are supposed to be professional and free from scammers; however, the reality of the cyber world is not that simple. Many companies and consultants post job openings, but 80 percent of them are fake or posted by consultants solely to gather data like email IDs and phone numbers for lead generation. There are two top consultants whose job postings are common for this purpose. Once they obtain your contact information, someone will call you, ask for more details, and claim to be working on multiple positions. They will then connect you with someone else who handles specific verticals and smartly ask about business opportunities. For these two consultants, these postings are just for lead generation. Find out who they are on LinkedIn.

Other postings are just fake to lure desperate candidates. In today's digital age, job seekers must be vigilant against scammers who prey on their desperation for employment. These scammers use sophisticated tactics to impersonate professionals and lure unsuspecting candidates into their traps.

One recent case highlights the prevalence and dangers of job scams. A friend shared his experience with a scammer named “Career Monster”, who claimed to be a consultant with offices in Pune and Bangalore. This scammer approached my friend with an enticing senior level job opening at a US-based MNC.

The scam began with the scammer asking him to pay for the creation of a job ID. Then, additional payments were demanded for processing fees and other supposed requirements. To add legitimacy to the scam, someone impersonating the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of the company conducted a telephonic interview. This was followed by another fake interview with an impersonator posing as the operations head.

The scam reached its peak when my friend received a fake letter inviting him to the office for salary discussions. Scammer demanded more money saying that has to be paid to the interviewer. ?Sensing something fishy, he reached out to me for advice, and upon investigation, it became clear that he was being scammed. Unfortunately, similar incidents are all too common, and it's essential to understand the methods these scammers use.

Here's a breakdown of the scamming process:

Approach: Scammers approach potential victims with enticing job offers, often through email or social media platforms.

Payment Requests: They ask for small amounts for job ID creation, processing fees, and registration, claiming these fees are non-refundable.

Fake Interviews: Scammers conduct fake telephonic interviews over the phone or through video calls, impersonating company executives.

Fake Offers: They send fake offer letters, often riddled with spelling mistakes and incorrect information.

Demand for More Money: If they sense that the candidate is desperate, they may ask for more money, claiming it's for the interviewer or for other reasons.

Disappearance: Once they receive payment, the scammers disappear, leaving the candidate without a job and out of pocket.

Unfortunately, the companies and their HR teams are not that proactive in educating candidates about this. They believe that one disclaimer on their career website is enough. They don’t consider that someone impersonating their senior team is a serious matter. In fact, impersonation and forgery of documents are crimes under the Indian Penal Code.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, here are some red flags to watch out for:

Official Channels: Large Indian corporations and MNCs have Talent Acquisition (TA) teams and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) firms handling hiring processes. All communication should come from official email addresses. If they hire the retainers and consultants, they are reputed. Research about their organisation on Google and you will find decent information.

No Fees: Reputable companies and consultants never ask for money for job ID creation, processing fees, or registration. They are very professional. If somebody is asking money, then it is a red flag. If some consultant is asking money, then either consultants is fake or the company which hire those consultants are not good. In 100% cases, you will be fooled.

Face-to-Face Interviews: Final interviews are typically conducted face-to-face, not solely over the phone or video call. If video calls, then technology is sophisticated and authenticated. Check proper communication from company mail id. If the consultant is sending the mail, somebody from HR team is always in CC.

Free Tests: Reputed companies take online psychometric tests. The link comes from company, and you are given user id and password. There are many free online tests which reputed companies never use. Get the clarification always about these tests.

Careful Review: Check for spelling mistakes and incorrect information in offer letters. They should be signed by a senior HR representative, and their designation and name are always mentioned. Such documents have valid information. You will find out some red flags when you review the said document carefully.

Code of Conduct: Legitimate companies adhere to a code of business conduct, and bribes are never requested. Employees are very much aware about this, and they will not risk their career by getting the cuts and bribe.

In the rarest of rare cases, a recruiter of the company may be involved in some malpractices; however, those transactions are between consultants and recruiters (like kickbacks). Such recruiters are acting on their own and at their own risk. It is unrelated to the organizations they work for. If you come to know about such malpractices, report those recruiters through the whistleblower mechanism. Every reputable organization has a whistleblower mechanism to address such issues. Please visit the company's website for more information.

It's crucial to stay informed and cautious when navigating the job market to protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe and trust your instincts.

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