Stop if money is required
Do not pay a registration, training, software, equipment-release, background-check, processing, tax, or security fee to obtain work. Official I4C guidance identifies upfront payment as a core job-scam warning sign.
Verify outside the message
Find the company's official website independently. Confirm its domain, careers page, business presence, and whether the recruiter can be verified through an official channel. Do not rely only on links or phone numbers supplied by the sender.
Question unrealistic urgency or earnings
High income for minimal effort, immediate selection without a credible interview, referral-heavy rewards, threats, and very short payment deadlines are reasons to stop and investigate.
Protect personal and financial data
Do not share OTPs, card details, banking passwords, remote-device access, or unnecessary identity documents. A normal application may need professional history; it does not need control of your money or device.
Preserve evidence and report quickly
Keep screenshots, messages, email headers, URLs, recruiter profiles, payment receipts, phone numbers, and bank details. For cyber financial fraud in India, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.
Direct answers
What are the clearest signs of a fake job offer?
Requests for upfront payment, unusually high earnings for minimal work, pressure to act immediately, unverifiable company or recruiter details, and demands for sensitive financial information are strong warning signs.
Is a registration or training fee normal?
Treat any fee required to receive or begin a job as unsafe. Indian cybercrime guidance specifically identifies registration, training, software, processing, and similar upfront charges as common scam tactics.
Where can job fraud be reported in India?
Report cyber financial fraud immediately through helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in. Preserve messages, payment records, URLs, phone numbers, and account details as evidence.
Sources: I4C fake CAPTCHA job advisory and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Accessed 12 August 2026.