New Delhi | The rapid rise in online recruitment scams is creating a significant trust deficit among Indian job seekers and employees, with many now avoiding legitimate employment opportunities out of fear of fraud. According to a new survey by job platform Indeed, 75% of Indians are ignoring job opportunities because they fear the offers may be fraudulent, indicating that recruitment scams are increasingly disrupting genuine hiring.
The survey, conducted among 1,161 employees and job seekers across India, found that 93% of respondents had encountered suspicious or fake job offers. Meanwhile, 51% admitted they were not confident in distinguishing between a legitimate recruiter and a scammer.
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Although only 3% of respondents reported suffering direct financial losses due to recruitment fraud, the broader impact has been substantial. Around 31% said such experiences had reduced their trust in recruiters and employers, while 19% reported stress and anxiety during their job search. Another 14% said excessive caution after encountering scams had caused them to miss genuine employment opportunities.
Indeed Talent Strategy Advisor Rohan Sylvester said candidates now seek greater assurance that job opportunities are legitimate. He added that employers also need to recognise that scams carried out in their name can damage both their brand reputation and recruitment efforts.
The survey further revealed that Gen Z job seekers and individuals with up to two years of work experience are the most vulnerable to recruitment fraud. Among this group, 52% said fake job offers had caused them to miss genuine opportunities, 51% reported emotional stress, and 46% said their trust in the hiring process had declined. Notably, 46% of Gen Z respondents reported losing money to recruitment scams, compared with just 3% across the overall survey sample.
The findings suggest that as hiring becomes increasingly digital, candidates are becoming cautious from the very beginning of the recruitment process. In many cases, suspicion arises as early as the job advertisement or the recruiter’s initial message.
According to the survey, 50% of respondents said the ability to verify a recruiter’s identity was the strongest indicator that a job opportunity was genuine, while 47% considered communication sent through an official company email address to be more trustworthy.
A Researcher at Algoritha Security said cybercriminals often exploit the urgency and optimism of job seekers looking for employment. The researcher advised candidates to verify the recruiter’s identity, confirm the company’s official website and email domain, and avoid responding to job offers that request advance payments. Legitimate employers do not ask candidates to pay fees for interviews, job offers, or appointment letters.
The survey covered 1,161 employees and job seekers from different age groups, career stages, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas across India. The findings underscore the growing need for stronger transparency, digital verification mechanisms, and trust-building measures in the country’s online recruitment ecosystem.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
