Police have issued a general warning after it emerged that alleged scamsters are targeting female students who are waiting for their HSSLC results with fake promises of jobs as air hostesses.
Calls were made and messages sent mainly to females in rural villages of West Khasi Hills. The girls were told that they have been appointed as air hostesses even when they had never applied for such a job.
Those with information or further complaints can call or WhatsApp the Meghalaya police on 9366498499.
The persons making the call spoke in the local language while text messages were in English. So-called interviews were scheduled at the Frankfinn Institute of Airhostess Training in Guwahati and the girls were told to bring their identification, school documents, etc.
At least one young girl, responding to the scammers, went for a supposed interview yesterday where she was asked to pay Rs 40,000 on the spot. However, as she is from a remote village and did not have the money on hand, she returned home.
The question on the minds of the girls affected and their families is how were the scammers able to identify their victims, picking out HSSLC students in particular, and if their personal data is at risk.