A suspicious job recruitment banner promising employment linked to Navi Mumbai International Airport was removed from outside Sion railway station late Wednesday evening, hours after a mid-day reporter visited the spot and began making enquiries into the offer.
The banner, which advertised a monthly salary of Rs 18,300 with provident fund benefits and 26 working days, had raised concerns of a potential recruitment scam targeting job seekers hoping to benefit from the airport’s expected employment boom.
The suspicious job recruitment hoarding was taken down late Wednesday evening. Pic/Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Police said they are examining the phone numbers listed on the banner, while civic officials had earlier indicated the display appeared unauthorised and could be removed if found illegal. “We will look into the matter and see if the given phone number is fraudulent,” said Senior Police Inspector Anant Salunkhe of Sion police station.
Reporter’s verification check
Numbers found
Four linked to the foundation
Calls answered
Calling only one of the numbers yielded a response
Reaction when questioned
Caller disconnected twice after being asked about the job
Other numbers
Unreachable
Navi Mumbai International Airport, where recruitment is conducted only through official channels. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
What the banner promised
Salary mentioned
Rs 18,300 per month
Work schedule
26 days a month
Benefits claimed
Compulsory PF
Employer listed
“VSP Foundation”
Contact given
One name + phone number printed on banner
What the airport says
Official warning
“NMIA does not charge any fees for job applications or interviews. Any request for payment related to a job offer or interview should be recognised as fraudulent”
Verified hiring route
Jobs listed only on the airport’s official website and authorised platforms
Police advice to job seekers
“Any requests or demands for money should be considered possibly fraudulent,” an officer from Sion police station said
Key precautions
Verify the employer Avoid paying money Check authenticity before sharing documents
Civic body response
BMC officials said they were unaware of the hoarding. “Prima facie it looks like a fake hoarding and action will be taken against it accordingly,” said a senior official from the F North ward, adding that permission records are being checked. If unauthorised, the hoarding will be removed
How to apply safely for airport jobs
Safest route
Apply through the airport’s official careers page
Vendor hiring exists
But confirm they are authorised contractors
Never share
Money or personal documents without verification
