Don't accept job offers via social media: Indian embassy warns youth

social media job

The Indian Embassy in Myanmar has issued a strong warning to Indian nationals, especially youth, to be cautious of fraudulent job offers circulating on social media. This advisory follows a rise in incidents where Indian citizens have fallen prey to international crime syndicates operating in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

In a press release issued on Monday, the embassy highlighted the increase in these incidents and emphasized the importance of verifying any job offers with the embassy before accepting them. The advisory reiterated the critical nature of adhering to guidelines previously issued on this matter.

The embassy's statement read, "There has been an increase in the incidents of Indian nationals falling victim to the international crime syndicates active in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border. We would re-emphasize the importance of adhering to our advisories on the subject for not taking any such job offers without consulting the respective Indian Embassies."

The advisory further stressed that Indian nationals should avoid accepting job offers from social media platforms or other unverified sources. It urged individuals to check and verify the credentials of foreign employers through the Indian Embassy in the respective country. It also recommended that job seekers establish the antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before accepting any job offer abroad.

The Indian Embassy in Myanmar can be contacted through email at [email protected] or via mobile at +9595419602 (WhatsApp/Viber/Signal) for any queries related to Myanmar. The embassy is actively working with concerned authorities to ensure the safety and rescue of Indian nationals.

The press release also noted a new location in the Pha Lu area, south of Myawaddy town, where many Indian victims are being trafficked via Thailand after being recruited from India and other countries like Malaysia and the UAE.

In a related development, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue, noting that three Indians had been contacted for repatriation, with one already brought back to India. He reminded job seekers to exercise caution when applying for jobs in Southeast Asian countries, emphasizing the need to verify the legitimacy of job offers and employers.

Previously, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar had shared that over 400 Indian nationals had been rescued from such scams. In September 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory specifically cautioning IT-skilled youth about these fake job rackets. In October 2022, India successfully rescued around 45 Indians trapped in similar scams in Myanmar.

The embassy's latest advisory serves as a crucial reminder for Indian nationals to remain vigilant and verify job offers through official channels to avoid falling victim to such deceptive schemes.