A major scam in the USA is targeting ambitious Indians, especially students and those on dependent visas.
It is well known that many Indians are eager to secure jobs to support themselves and often keep their LinkedIn profiles updated.
Scammers target such profiles and send emails claiming that the candidate's profile matches their job description. They invite them for an online interview. A professional-looking interview is conducted at multiple levels, creating a sense of legitimacy.
Eventually, an official appointment letter is issued with an attractive salary package, for example, USD 1,200 per week, with the flexibility of working from anywhere, no office, and no rigid schedule.
Everything appears genuine and clean, with no reason for suspicion. Once the appointment letter lands in the candidate's inbox, they often celebrate with their family and friends. However, this is where the scam unfolds.
Shortly afterward, the candidate receives an email requesting a deposit of USD 1,500 to cover the cost of providing a laptop and other devices, which is claimed to be refundable.
Alternatively, for those who say they cannot afford the amount, the scammers offer another option- they ask for complete bank or credit card details and require the candidate to click on some terms and conditions, to receive the equipment without any upfront payment.
Once the money is deposited or bank details are shared, the scammers disappear, no longer responding to emails.
If bank or card details are provided, they siphon whatever money is left in the account. If the USD 1,500 is paid, there is no further correspondence, and the promised laptop never arrives.
These scams have become alarmingly common in the USA, with a majority of Indian job seekers falling prey to them.