Bengaluru: In a disturbing case of overseas job fraud, a Bengaluru-based accountant was allegedly cheated of ₹4.3 lakh by a visa consultancy that promised him a lucrative logistics job in the United States, only for him to end up stranded in Armenia without any employment. The incident highlights the growing trend of fraudulent overseas placement rackets targeting job seekers with dreams of working abroad.
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Promised US Job Ends in Armenia
According to the complaint, the victim, a diploma holder with experience in logistics, approached a consultancy firm in the Rajajinagar area in September 2025 in search of better career opportunities overseas. A representative of the firm, identified as Mamatha Shankar, allegedly assured him of securing a logistics position in the US, along with complete assistance for visa processing, travel arrangements, and accommodation.
Trusting these assurances, the victim paid ₹4.3 lakh in multiple installments to the consultancy. He was told that all formalities had been completed and that he would soon begin his job in the United States. However, upon departure, the victim was instead sent to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, where he discovered that no such job had been arranged.
Instead of the promised logistics role, the victim was allegedly offered low-paying construction work, which was entirely different from what had been agreed upon. Shocked by the situation and finding himself in an unfamiliar country without proper support, he was left with no option but to arrange his own return to India.
Investigations Begins Into Consultancy’s Role
Investigators said that the victim later approached authorities and filed a complaint, detailing how he had been misled and financially exploited by the consultancy. The case has since triggered a probe into the operations of the firm and its alleged involvement in similar fraudulent activities.
Preliminary findings suggest that the accused used a well-crafted narrative to lure the victim. By offering an attractive job profile in the US and promising end-to-end assistance, the consultancy gained the victim’s trust. Officials believe that such scams often rely on emotional manipulation, exploiting aspirations of better income and international exposure.
Authorities suspect that this may not be an isolated incident. Similar frauds have been reported across the country, where job seekers are duped by fake consultancies promising overseas placements. These entities often collect hefty fees under the pretext of visa processing, documentation, and travel arrangements, only to abandon victims once the payment is secured.
Warning of Organised Overseas Job Frauds
Cyber and financial crime experts point out that such scams are part of a broader pattern of organised fraud. In many cases, victims are deliberately sent to countries with less stringent entry requirements to create an illusion of legitimacy, while the promised job in another country never exists.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh notes that these cases involve elements of social engineering, where fraudsters build credibility through professional communication and staged documentation. He warns that job seekers must verify the authenticity of consultancies and job offers through official channels before making any payments.
Authorities have advised citizens to exercise caution while dealing with agencies offering overseas employment. They recommend verifying company credentials, cross-checking job offers with official employers, and avoiding large upfront payments without proper documentation.
Victims of such frauds are encouraged to report incidents promptly to the police or through official complaint mechanisms. Early reporting can help authorities trace the accused and prevent further cases.
