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Noida: Cyber fraudsters duped a city-based professor of more than Rs 1.27 lakh on the pretext of securing him a faculty position at a reputed overseas institution. The suspects contacted the victim through social media platforms and presented an offer of appointment at Dhofar University in Oman. Citing mandatory recruitment formalities, document verification, application procedures, and registration, the perpetrators induced the victim to transfer money in multiple online transactions. When the promised appointment failed to materialise and demands for additional funds continued, the professor approached law enforcement authorities. A formal case has been registered at the Sector 39 police station, and an active investigation is under way.
Social Media Outreach and Fraudulent Appointment Offer
The victim, identified as Professor Naushad, resides at the Amrapali Sapphire society situated in Sector 45, Noida. According to the police complaint, unknown cyber criminals initiated contact with him online and claimed they could facilitate an academic placement at Dhofar University in Oman. Convinced by their assurances and official-sounding communication, the educator agreed to proceed with the hiring process.
Soon after establishing contact, the perpetrators began asking for money under the pretext of background processing fees. They informed him that his academic certificates and credentials required official verification before the university administration could issue appointment orders. Trusting their claims, the professor complied with their instructions and transferred the requested amounts into specified bank accounts through digital payment methods.
Four Separate Installments Totalling Over Rs 1.27 Lakh
The financial transactions were carried out in stages over several weeks in February 2026. According to the complaint details, the first transfer of Rs 28,500 was completed on 11 February 2026. A second transaction of Rs 30,160 was executed on 15 February. Subsequently, two further payments of Rs 31,110 and Rs 38,000 were processed, with the final transfer taking place on 26 February.
In total, four primary transactions resulted in the fraudulent extraction of Rs 1,27,770 from the educator. The complainant stated that the suspects also sought smaller amounts, including Rs 2,000 and Rs 650, under the guise of direct registration charges and processing fees. The continuous demand for money without any concrete progress on the job offer raised the victim’s suspicion, leading him to realise that the entire recruitment drive was a cyber fraud.
Police Probe Bank Accounts and Verification Guidelines Issued
Sector 39 police station personnel registered a formal first information report upon receiving the complaint. Investigating officers have initiated technical analysis of the recipient bank accounts into which the victim deposited the funds. The police team is tracking account ownership details, transaction trails, and subsequent fund diversions, while also examining the digital footprints and online communication channels used by the suspects to approach the educator.
Authorities noted that fraudulent recruitment networks frequently target job aspirants by misusing the names of well-known foreign universities and multinational firms. Fraudsters typically forge appointment letters and demand money for visa clearances, certificate validation, and administrative registration. Police urged job seekers to verify overseas employment offers directly through official institutional websites and communication channels. Candidates were advised to avoid sending payments for document checks to unverified intermediaries and to rely solely on recruitment agencies registered with and approved by the Ministry of External Affairs.
