In plain terms
If someone becomes your boss only after you pay them, they are not your boss. No government office, campus placement cell or genuine company runs “pay to start”.
A WhatsApp message says you have cleared a job interview you do not remember attending — and to start, deposit “processing fees” or “registration charges”. This is one of the most common employment frauds in India.
Why payment is the bait
In this scam, the “employer” manufactures urgency: the “offer” expires in 24 hours, the “joining kit” is couriered once you pay, a “salary slot” gets blocked without a token fee. Each excuse is another way to make you send money — typically via UPI “request”, IMPS or a recharge.
Why it matters
- Fake offers feed on job anxiety: the lower the effort required from you, the more suspicious it is.
- The amount is always small enough to “just pay and check” — that is the psychology of the scam.
- A real employer can verify with one call to the official HR number.
Key takeaways
- Payment before joining = scam.
- Chat-only interviews with instant offers are red flags.
- Report fast; recovery chances drop sharply after 48 hours.
The two rules
- Legitimate employers pay you for work; they never invoice you to join.
- If an interview is by chat only and the verdict arrives within minutes, it is not a real hiring process.
What you should do
- Verify the company through its official website and public contact numbers — never through the details in the offer.
- Search the exact offer text online; scams are copy-pasted and someone has reported it.
- If you have already paid, report to your bank immediately and file on cybercrime.gov.in within 24 hours.