A massive work-from-home employment scam has been unearthed in Karnataka’s Kolar district, where hundreds of people have said they have been cheated after being promised home-based packing jobs. They were required to pay security deposits for the packing of incense sticks, camphor, paper plates, and paper cups when the company allegedly closed its doors and didn’t deliver.
And many unemployed teenagers, homemakers, and low-income families have suffered significant financial loss due to the incident.
Company Allegedly Promising Easy Work from Home Jobs
According to the complainants, a company named Sri Kalikadevi Enterprises, located in Palasandra Layout, 4th Cross, Kolar, started operations a year ago.
The company also advertised the work-from-home opportunities, claiming that people could earn a steady monthly income by packing commonly used household products such as:
- Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
- Camphor, paper plates, paper cups.
The company mainly targeted women, homemakers, unemployed youth, and job-seeking workers, and the scheme offered the possibility for the young to earn money without leaving home.
Security Deposit Collected from Applicants
Victims say that the company required a security deposit before assigning packing work, and that it was required for raw materials and commitment from workers.
Hundreds of applicants believed the offer to be genuine and paid the deposit in order to get regular employment.
But once it received money from several people, the company stopped answering and never did what it promised to do, and never refunded customers.
Some of the victims are now claiming to have been cheated out of large sums of money.
Hundreds claim to have been cheated
The alleged fraud has affected hundreds of people in the Kolar district, according to local reports.
Many families had put their money into the scheme in the hope of having an income. But they have no jobs now, and the money isn't coming back.
The amount collected from the victims has not been officially confirmed, but complainants say it runs into several crores of rupees.
Police Complaint Expected
Affected people are preparing to approach the police and other authorities, seeking action against those responsible.
An official investigation is expected to determine:
- The number of victims.
- The total amount allegedly collected.
- Whether the company was legally registered.
- Whether similar schemes were operated elsewhere.
Police will look at financial transactions, company records, and statements from victims as part of any investigation.
The Threat of Work-From-Home Frauds Increasing
Experts in cybercrime and financial fraud have warned job seekers to be wary of advertisements offering high earnings from home-based work.
In general, legitimate employers will not require applicants to pay security deposits or register before hiring them.
Job seekers should do: Expert advice is for job seekers to:
- Verify a company's registration and background.
- Don’t pay advance deposits without proper verification.
- Read contracts carefully before making payments.
- Check online reviews and complaints.
- Report suspicious job offers to the police or cybercrime authorities.
- Public Urged to Stay Vigilant
The alleged Kolar scam serves as another reminder for people to be cautious of employment offers that promise easy income with minimal effort. The authorities continue to urge the public to verify the authenticity of companies before investing money or sharing personal information.
The investigation will establish the entire extent of the fraud and identify those responsible for operating the scheme.
