Internship Offer or Scam? A Warning for College Students

As students begin applying for internships and job opportunities, scammers are finding new ways to target them online. In Chennai, fraudsters have reportedly been posing as college placement cells and internship providers to trick students into sharing personal information and making payments.

These scams often appear convincing at first glance.
Students may receive emails that look like they have been sent by official college departments or placement teams. The messages may use college logos, professional language and urgent deadlines to appear genuine.

In many cases, students are asked to fill out online forms requesting details such as register numbers, mobile phone numbers and academic information.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency by claiming that only a few positions are available or that applications will close within a short time. This pressure can make students act quickly without verifying the information.

Students may then be asked to pay a “registration fee” through a personal UPI ID or QR code in order to secure their internship opportunity.

How Students Can Stay Safe

Verify internship offers with your department, placement cell or Head of Department before responding.
Be cautious when sharing personal or academic information on unfamiliar websites or forms.
Avoid making payments through personal UPI IDs or QR codes for internship opportunities.
Check email addresses carefully for spelling errors or suspicious variations of official college domains.

Reporting a Scam

If you receive a suspicious message or believe you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930

Staying alert and verifying information before taking action can help students protect themselves from online fraud. Remember, genuine internships never charge candidates for offer letters, training or onboarding.