Although the present state of the Patna Metro project is that it is still in its construction phase and is not yet operational, cases of fraudulent activities have already started being reported, and it is something that is not only alarming to the job hunters but also to the authorities themselves. Fraudsters have begun sending counterfeit advertisements purportedly offering employment opportunities at the Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRCL) and requesting their money or personal details, which are sensitive. Such fraudulent activities are a cause of concern because most of the unaware candidates might end up being victims of financial and identity fraud in an attempt to secure job opportunities with the metro project.
The PMRCL has also given a bold warning to the people that the corporation has not posted any advertisement for recruitment, which requires payment. The official employment announcements are made available only in the verified sources, i.e. the official website of PMRCL and the official newspapers. The organization has also restated that it does not require any fees or financial information at any point in the hiring process. This is a warning on fraudulent advertisements that are being published through the various social media platforms, email and SMS and also on unrecognized websites, all of which strive to use the hype created by the metro project to defraud job applicants.
Such scams have made job aspirants keen and careful. The government has encouraged the citizens to ensure that any job offer associated with the Patna Metro is genuine and they use the official channels to confirm the authenticity of the offer before providing information, be it personal or financial. To ensure further exploitation is prevented, it is highly recommended to report the suspicious communications to the local police or the PMRCL. The case underscores how candidates are vulnerable when significant infrastructure projects create a lot of publicity and anticipation of work opportunities.
The fraud in the Patna Metro project not only endangers the lives of individual job seekers, but it also raises concerns about the effectiveness of the job seekers in the project. As scammers can harm the name of the organization by exploiting the trust of the population, they can cause unwarranted confusion and anxiety in the minds of possible applicants. The PMRCL has reassured the people that it is vigilantly keeping an eye on them and making efforts to ensure that citizens do not fall prey to such schemes.
With the Patna Metro project moving towards completion, it is essential to avoid fraudulent schemes. The job seekers are expected to be updated, be careful and use only the official communication to update on any recruitments. The authorities are still striving to protect the interests of the people; therefore, once employment opportunities ever arise in the project of building the metro, they will be carried out in an open, fair, and secure manner, without the interference of unscrupulous people who are eager to use the people’s euphoria in the context of the project.
