Palakkad Job Scam: How a Fake Driver Vacancy Conned 500 People
A 27-year-old man from Shoranur, Palakkad, named Choondakkat Parambilveetil Vishnu, was arrested by Kollam City Cyber Police for running a large-scale social media job scam that defrauded over 500 people across Kerala of more than ₹8 lakh. Vishnu posted fake advertisements claiming a driver vacancy at a doctor’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram with a monthly salary of ₹32,000. The job ad was widely seen, receiving 2.5 million views on Instagram alone.
How the Scam Worked
Vishnu, posted a fake job advertisement on social media claiming a driver vacancy at a doctor’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram with a monthly salary of ₹32,000. The ad went viral and received 2.5 million views on Instagram. Victims were asked to register by either visiting an office in Ernakulam or, if that was not possible, by sending their driving license and Aadhaar details via WhatsApp along with a ₹560 registration fee. Later, they were told to pay an additional ₹1,000 for verification. After receiving the money, the scammer would block the victims, delete the advertisement, phone number, and social media accounts, and then repeat the scam using new credentials to target more people. This fraudulent scheme defrauded over 500 people across Kerala of more than ₹8 lakh.
How the Scam Unraveled
The accused frequently changed phones and SIM cards to avoid detection but was ultimately traced through a persistent phone number. The scam came to light after a complaint from a resident of Kottiyam through a cybercrime helpline. Police investigations revealed that this fraudulent activity had been ongoing for more than a year, involving multiple bank accounts, SIM cards, and mobile devices.
Why It Matters
The scam’s success lay in its well-crafted modus operandi: combining an attractive salary, a sense of urgency, requests for verified personal documents like driving licences and Aadhaar cards, and minimal upfront payments, followed by an additional verification fee. Once paid, victims were blocked, and the advertisements, contact numbers, and accounts were deleted before the scam was relaunched with new credential an organized cycle of fraud that leveraged trust, social media virality, and quick evasion tactics to continue undetected for over a year.
Broader Context – Recognizing Employment Scams
The FBI has warned that scammers use fake job listings to steal personal information and money from job seekers. These scammers post fake ads on job websites, social media, and even on genuine company pages by exploiting weak security checks. The fake job offers look real, using company logos, employee names, and contact details, which makes victims trust them. They often ask for personal documents such as driver’s licenses, bank account details, or Aadhaar cards before any interviews, which is a major red flag. These scammers may also ask for small upfront fees, promising a job, but block victims and delete their ads when the money is paid. This organized approach allows them to quickly relaunch scams with new ads, tricking many people and causing substantial financial and identity theft losses. The FTC highlights that legitimate employers never ask for personal info or money before an interview, so such requests should raise suspicion.
This case highlights the growing problem of online job scams exploiting job seekers by promising fake employment opportunities and collecting fees fraudulently. Authorities urge caution when applying for jobs online and recommend verifying the authenticity of ads before sharing personal details or money.
