India's Home Affairs Ministry alerts job seekers to AI-driven biometric fraud

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in India issued an advisory warning that job seekers are being targeted by online scams that use artificial‑intelligence‑enhanced biometric verification. Criminals pose as legitimate recruiters, offering seemingly authentic job opportunities and then requesting online interviews, facial‑recognition or eye‑scan verification, and other personal data such as Aadhaar numbers and bank details. The fraudsters allegedly use the collected biometric inputs to manipulate official identity systems, including linking or altering mobile numbers linked to identity documents.

The alert, released by the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, advises candidates to verify the authenticity of recruiters, check official company websites and email domains, and avoid sharing sensitive information unless fully confirmed. It also highlights the use of urgency tactics, such as promises of instant job placement, to pressure victims. Persons who suspect they have been targeted are urged to report incidents to the national cybercrime helpline (1930) or through the official reporting portal.

Officials stress that legitimate employers do not request biometric or financial data without clear, documented procedures, and they encourage vigilance as digital hiring platforms continue to expand.