An Investigation by Markets Today
Date: April 1, 2025
By Markets Today Investigative Team
An Undercover Look at the IT Job Scam Epidemic
In what seems like a growing epidemic of deceit and fraud, a widespread backdoor job scam is plaguing the IT job market in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Unsuspecting job seekers are falling prey to fake recruitment agencies that promise them jobs at top-tier companies like Infosys, TCS, Capgemini, and Accenture. In exchange for hefty upfront payments, these fraudsters offer fake job placements, forged experience letters, and manipulated documents designed to pass background verification (BGV).
This scam epidemic has turned job seekers into victims, many of whom are left not only without a job but also without the money they paid to secure one. Despite the growing number of cases, one name continues to surface at the center of this web of fraud: Anu P (alias Annapoorna).
The Anatomy of the Scam: How It Works
The backdoor job scam follows a chillingly consistent pattern:
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Fake Job Advertisements – Scammers post seemingly legitimate job openings across popular platforms like LinkedIn, Telegram, and WhatsApp. These ads promise immediate placement in big companies like Infosys, TCS, or Capgemini.
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Upfront Payments – Job seekers are asked to pay substantial fees for “placement guarantees,” ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5,00,000. In some cases, victims are told the money is for fake experience letters or background check services.
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False Credentials – After receiving the money, the scam network provides forged experience letters, salary slips, and other fake documents to convince candidates that their background verification will pass.
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The Vanishing Act – Once the money is received, the scammers block the victim’s calls or disappear, leaving the job seeker in the lurch with no job and no refund.
Anu P: The Mastermind Behind the Scam
At the heart of this fraud network is Anu P (alias Annapoorna), a name that has appeared repeatedly in investigations. Anu P is the mastermind who runs this entire operation, coordinating with a network of agents and associates across Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Her scheme is well-organized and operates under a carefully constructed facade of legitimacy. She has built an impressive web of fake job postings and fraudulent documentation, making it difficult for job seekers to differentiate between reality and deception.
Here’s how Anu P operates:
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Fake Promises – Anu’s team lures job seekers with promises of guaranteed placements at major IT firms, telling them they can secure a role for a one-time payment.
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Creating Fake Documents – Once a candidate pays, Anu’s associates provide them with falsified experience letters, salary slips, and other documents designed to pass background verification (BGV) checks.
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No Refund, No Recourse – After receiving the payment, Anu and her network disappear and stop responding to calls, leaving the victim stranded with no way to recover their money.
Key Associates Involved in the Scam
While Anu P is the central figure, the scam wouldn’t be possible without her network of co-conspirators. Several associates help to run the operations smoothly across Bangalore, Hyderabad, and other major IT hubs.
Some of the key players include:
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Sebastian alias Rajesh
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Prasad Kumar
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Nandini
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M/S ADI Software Systems
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Suresh Kumar
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Ramesh Rao
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Madhu Kumar
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Anoop (Raghavendra)
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Soujanya B
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Shivaraj N
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M/S Vishruth Tech
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Shankar
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Satish
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Keerthi
These individuals are either working directly with Anu P or acting as recruitment agents who spread the fraudulent job postings and collect payments from candidates. The level of coordination among them makes it clear that this is a sophisticated criminal enterprise.
Real Victims Speak Out: The Cost of Trusting Fraudsters
We spoke to several victims who were promised jobs in reputed companies but were ultimately scammed by Anu P and her network.
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Vishal M., Bangalore: Vishal was promised a job at TCS after paying ₹1.5 lakh to one of Anu’s agents. Once the payment was made, Vishal couldn’t get in touch with the recruiter and was left with no job and no refund.
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Ananya R., Hyderabad: Ananya was convinced by the promise of a position at Infosys after paying ₹75,000. However, after a background verification failure, she was fired, and the agent who promised the job disappeared.
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Rahul S., Chennai: Rahul transferred ₹1 lakh to secure a job at Wipro but was blocked once the money was received, with no job offer in sight.
These stories represent just a fraction of the total number of victims affected by Anu P and her associates. The scam has claimed thousands of victims who are now left without jobs and struggling to recover their payments.
How to Protect Yourself from Backdoor Job Scams
If you’re a job seeker, stay vigilant and avoid falling victim to these scams:
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Never pay for a job – Legitimate employers never ask for upfront payment.
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Verify job postings – Always double-check the legitimacy of job listings with the official company.
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Look for warning signs – If something feels off or promises sound too good to be true, it probably is.
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Report fraud immediately – If you’ve encountered a scam, report it to the Cyber Crime Cell or local authorities.
Call for Action: Time to Stop Anu P and Her Associates
Despite the growing number of reports, Anu P and her associates continue to operate, exploiting desperate job seekers across India. It’s clear that more action is needed from both IT companies and law enforcement to stop these scammers.
IT Companies must take stronger steps to verify recruitment agencies and educate job seekers about the risks of backdoor recruitment. They should also cooperate with authorities to shut down fraudulent agencies.
Authorities must intensify their investigations and ensure that individuals like Anu P face the full consequences of their actions. We cannot afford to let these fraudsters continue to exploit people.
Markets Today’s Final Call to Action
🔴 Job Seekers – Be cautious, verify job offers, and never pay for placements.
🔴 IT Companies – Work with law enforcement to identify and shut down fraudulent recruiters.
🔴 Authorities – Take swift action to dismantle these criminal networks and bring justice to the victims.
The time to act is now!
