Cyber criminals are adopting new methods of fraud every day. Now they are targeting college students who are looking for internships. Cyber fraudsters are duping youngsters by showing lucrative offers like good salary and guaranteed placement in the name of internships. Considering this threat, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C) recently issued an alert. I4C has warned students and parents to be vigilant about this new scam through its social media platforms. So, today in the Cyber Literacy column, we will learn that- Question – What is an internship scam? Answer – In an internship scam, cybercriminals trap students by luring them with fake internships. They obtain personal information by promising easy work, certificates, stipends, and placements. Later, they misuse the students’ personal details. Read also: Never search these sensitive things online Question – How are fraudsters carrying out scams in the name of internships? Answer- In internship scams, fraudsters take advantage of students’ desire to get an internship quickly and the pressure of their careers. They show fake offers and ask students for money and personal details. Initially, everything seems professional and real. But in reality, there is no real company and no work. Its sole purpose is to defraud and obtain personal data. Understand this from the graphic given below- Question- Why do students fall into the trap of fraudsters? Answer- Often, students, in the hope of quick internships, certificates, and earnings, trust such offers without proper investigation. Career pressure, lack of information, and attractive offers outweigh their common sense. Read also: ₹8 crore investment scam leads to former IG’s suicide Question- What precautions should be taken to avoid such scams? Answer- To avoid such scams, do not blindly trust any offer. Before applying for an internship, get complete information about the company and the platform. Make sure to verify every detail. A small carelessness can lead to a big loss. Therefore, keep some things in mind. Understand this from the graphic given below- Question- In what ways can scammers misuse the data they take from you in the name of an internship? Answer- Scammers can use your personal and financial data for various types of fraud. This not only puts your identity and money at risk, but also major financial frauds can occur in your name. Often, the victim only finds out when a loan or fraud occurs in their name. Read also: Scam happening via call forwarding to steal your bank details Some common questions and answers related to internships – Question – How to know if a job offer appearing on LinkedIn is not fake? Answer – Before considering any job or internship offer on LinkedIn as genuine, always check the company’s profile, website, and email ID. If the offer is being given without an interview, if there is pressure to join quickly, or if any kind of fee is being asked, it could be fake. Genuine companies never ask for money for a job or internship. Question – How to identify fake job offers received from places other than LinkedIn? Answer – There are some easy signs. Such as Read also: Cyber fraudsters’ new trick ‘Jumped Deposit Scam’ Question – How to identify a fake offer letter? Answer – Fake offer letters have some basic flaws that need to be paid close attention to. Such as- Question- Does any authentic company ask for money for job training? Answer- No, no authentic and professional company asks for money for a job or internship or for training. If an offer mentions training, registration, or processing fees, it’s a clear indication that it’s fake. Question- Where and how to report an internship scam? Answer- For this, file an online complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal cybercrime.gov.in or call the cyber helpline number 1930. Keep all email/message conversations as evidence when filing a complaint. You can also file a complaint at your nearest police station.
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