Cybercriminals target young job seekers: Expert

With unemployment on the rise due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the number of cybercrimes has skyrocketed. Cybercriminals posing as recruiters are calling gullible job seekers and scamming them.

Bengaluru: The number of cybercrimes has skyrocketed in the state during Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly 2008 cybercrimes have registered in the state during the period. In addition, the cyber police have big challenges to trace the cases, the statistics reveal that 10-15 cases are registered on a daily basis.

COVID-19 pandemic has pushed MNCs under losses, thus most of the companies have laid off their employees. Therefore, many youths have been searching for job through social networking websites and online apps.

Once job seekers log on to social networking sites and online apps, they will receive anonymous calls seeking to fill up online form including bank account details and OTP. In a few moments, cybercriminals rake the entire money in the bank account. The highest number of such cases has been reported in the jurisdiction of the South and North police divisions

More literates duped

Complaints lodged in the police stations reveal that more number of literates have been duped by the cybercriminals. Youths have been looking for jobs through social networking sites after layoffs. Of these, 2% of the fraudulent trap cases could not be traced.

What experts say

“If you have not applied for any jobs, be more cautious while answering the anonymous calls," says Anant Prabhu, a cyber expert. "Don’t pay interview fee and do not share, passport, credit card number, OTP and Bank account details", he adds.

“Cybercriminals are sending e-mails after they collect a complete description of the companies and their website. They will also lure you with more salary packages. Do not share your personal details by believing such information. While searching for jobs, the company's e-mail and its profile should be noted," emphasises Prabhu.

"We should not call ourselves for telephone interviews, only attend telephone interviews when companies call you. When you are asked to fill the applications, do not fill the information. Be more cautious… Share the information only after taking all the necessary details of the company," warns Prabhu.