In Bengaluru, 26‑year‑old Prabhudev G., a final‑year MTech student at UVCE, reported that a private recruitment agency duped him and several other aspirants by promising placements in reputed companies. The alleged scam began on July 3 when a woman claiming to represent Infosquare Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd. contacted him.

How the Scam Operated

The recruiter sent a Google Form and a PDF via WhatsApp, insisting that candidates pay either ₹1,000 or ₹2,000 to sit for a written test for Mechanical Design Engineer roles. Prabhudev scanned a QR code, paid ₹2,000, and appeared for the test alongside 15‑20 other candidates. After failing, he received an email asking him to attend another test on July 11, with a promise of a refund if he did not clear the exam.

Deception Unfolds

When he arrived on the scheduled date, the director, identified as Pawan Gopal, told him that no test would be conducted and that the firm could not provide a job. Upon demanding a refund, the accused allegedly refused and threatened him. Prabhudev disclosed that ten additional candidates—including Ramya, Shilpa, Vandita, and others—had paid money under the same false promise and received neither employment nor a refund.

Police Intervention

Based on the complaint, HAL police registered an FIR on Saturday and launched a probe into the firm for allegedly running the scam for nearly three years. The FIR cites illegal collection of fees, false assurances of placement, and intimidation of applicants.

Wider Implications

Recruitment fraud has become a pervasive issue across India, with thousands of students falling prey to bogus agencies that demand upfront fees and deliver no jobs. This case highlights the urgent need for stricter regulatory oversight, greater awareness among job seekers, and robust enforcement to deter such scams. Authorities must ensure that legitimate recruitment channels are protected while fraudulent actors are swiftly penalised.