Every year, thousands of Indians who dream of working abroad lose their hard-earned money to fake job offer letters. Fraudsters win trust using documents that look genuine — company names, stamps, and official-looking letterheads. This guide explains 10 red flags that help you spot a fake job offer, what a genuine offer letter must contain, how to verify an offer step by step, and what to do if you have already been cheated.
10 Red Flags: Be Alert the Moment You See Them
- Heavy advance before the visa: Demanding thousands of rupees before the visa is issued or work begins is the biggest warning sign.
- Unrealistically high salary: Promising Rs. 80,000–1,00,000 to a cleaner with no experience is usually a trap designed to excite you.
- No company details: If the offer letter has no full employer name, address, or registration number, treat it as suspicious.
- Offer from a free email ID: A so-called “official” offer arriving from Gmail or Yahoo is a red flag — real companies write from their own domain.
- Selection without an interview: Being declared “selected” instantly, with no interview or test, is a classic scam pattern.
- Verbal promises only: If salary, duty hours, and leave are never put in writing, the agent is avoiding accountability.
- Pressure to pay fast: “Pay today or the seat is gone” — pressure tactics are designed to stop you from thinking or verifying.
- Promise of work on a tourist visa: “First go on a tourist visa, we will arrange work there” — working on a tourist visa is illegal.
- Fake stamps and signatures: Blurred seals, poor English, or copy-paste formatting usually indicate forgery.
- Payment to a personal account: If you are asked to pay cash or transfer money to an individual’s name instead of a company account, stop immediately.
What Should a Genuine Offer Letter Contain?
| Point | In a genuine offer letter | Usually missing in a fake one |
|---|---|---|
| Company details | Full name, address, registration or licence number | Incomplete or fake address |
| Salary breakup | Basic pay plus allowances, clearly written | Only one big attractive number |
| Duty hours | Daily working hours and weekly off | Not mentioned at all |
| Accommodation and transport | Clearly stated who provides them | Only verbal assurance |
| Contract duration | Usually 2 years, in writing | No contract mentioned |
| Signature and stamp | Authorised signatory, clear seal | Blurred or fake |
How to Verify an Offer Letter — Step by Step
- Search the company name: Match the official website, address, and contact number.
- Check the email domain: The email should come from the company’s official domain.
- Call the company: Use the official phone number to confirm the vacancy with the HR department.
- Ask for the demand letter: Request an attested copy of the demand letter from the agent.
- Choose only registered agents: Details of recruiting agents registered with the Protector of Emigrants are published on India’s official eMigrate portal (emigrate.gov.in).
- Show it to someone experienced: Ask a relative or friend who has already worked abroad to review the offer letter before you pay anything.
What to Do If You Have Been Cheated
- Keep every proof of payment — receipts, bank transfers, and chat records.
- File a complaint at your nearest police station.
- You can also file a complaint against the agent at the Protector of Emigrants office.
- Take advice from a trusted consultancy like Sunlight Holidays — our Payment After Visa model exists to prevent exactly this kind of fraud.
Remember: a genuine agent will never demand a heavy advance from you before the visa is issued. You can send any offer letter to us for a free review before you pay anyone anything.
New-Age Fraud: WhatsApp and Telegram Scams
Most job fraud today happens on WhatsApp and Telegram — messages like “work from home job, earn Rs. 5,000 daily.” Scammers first pay small amounts for tiny tasks to win your trust, then demand a large “registration fee” or “task unlock fee.” Remember — in a real job, you are never asked to pay money to get hired. Never trust a job offer from an unknown number right away, and always check the company’s official website and registration details before sending any payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can an offer letter received on WhatsApp be genuine?
It can be, but receiving it on WhatsApp is itself the first reason to be cautious. Never pay money without full verification.
Q2. The agent took my money and disappeared — what now?
File an FIR with the police and a complaint with the PoE office, with all your proof. Do not delay.
Q3. Is an agent who promises a “100% visa guarantee” trustworthy?
No. The final visa decision always rests with the embassy — anyone claiming a guarantee is usually a fraudster.
Q4. What is the difference between an offer letter and a demand letter?
A demand letter is the employer’s official vacancy request given to the agent; an offer letter states your job terms and conditions. The two should match.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: Sunlight Holidays is a travel consultancy — we are not the government, an embassy, or an immigration department. Visa approval, fees, processing time, and the final decision rest with the concerned embassy or government authority. Please verify the latest information on the official embassy or government website before making your final decision.