‘PHIR HERA PHERI‘
Remember those Nigerian princes who would email gullible individuals requesting money transfers with the promise of much higher returns – in lieu of them being princes and all? Well, there’s a new scam on the market, and this time, it is taking advantage of the job losses seen in the last few years.
Sarah Magno, a 27-year-old freelance digital-media editor from New Jersey had applied for a number of jobs across several digital portals. One day, she received a message from a hiring manager of the Humane Society, offering her an opportunity to interview for one of their openings. Over the next two weeks, she was put in touch with other members of the organisation and eventually offered a job. The catch? She needed a company approved laptop, for which they would reimburse her.
So, she was sent to a company-approved dealer’s website, where she paid for her new office system, but neither did she receive her order, nor did she ever hear from the company again. They had even sent two digital cheques which bounced, leaving her at a loss of about $7000.
Similar scenarios are also growing in India, where authorities in both Guntur as well as Vizag in Andhra Pradesh have warned citizens to not fall for any employer asking potential or new employees to pay any money, irrespective of the platform or company through which they approach.
Source: The Jurni