How to Spot Fake Event Job Offers and Stay Safe

Red flags

• You are asked to pay a registration, training, uniform or ID card fee.
• Pay looks far too high for a simple role or short shift.
• No clear venue, date or company name, or details keep changing.
• Pressure to decide immediately or to move the chat to unknown apps.
• Requests for your bank OTP, UPI PIN or passwords.
• Interviews or "auditions" at private homes or hotel rooms.

Common scams

The most common trick is the "registration fee": you are told the job is confirmed but you must pay a small amount first. Another is a fake payment request, where someone sends a UPI collect request that looks like your salary but actually takes money from you. Remember that you never need to enter your UPI PIN to receive money.

Simple safety checks

• Never pay money to get an event job.
• Search the organizer or company name and check their profile and past events.
• Get the venue, date, role and pay in writing before the event.
• Share your live location with a friend when going to a new venue, especially late at night.
• Share ID documents only when needed, and only with the actual organizer.

If something feels wrong

Stop replying, do not send money, and report the listing or profile. If you have already lost money, contact your bank immediately and report it on the national cybercrime helpline (1930) or at cybercrime.gov.in.