The Rising Threat of Recruitment Frauds – Analysing the Role of HRM Practices in Mitigating Cybercrime in India

Recruitment fraud in India has emerged as a significant challenge, impacting job seekers and organizations. These frauds include phishing scams, fake job postings, identity theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive data, often leveraging the gaps in digital recruitment processes. This study aims to identify the common types and underlying causes of recruitment-related cybercrimes in India, focusing on the vulnerabilities within the recruitment ecosystem. The research explores the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in addressing these challenges by implementing preventive measures, such as robust verification protocols, secure job portals, and increased candidate awareness. It highlights how HRM strategies can mitigate risks by integrating cybersecurity measures, adhering to legal and ethical standards, and fostering transparency throughout the recruitment process. Based on an analysis of real-world cases and secondary data from government sources, such as the Ministry of Labour and Employment and CERT-In and industry reports, this study explores strategies to safeguard recruitment processes. The findings underscore the importance of collaboration between HR and IT teams, adherence to data protection regulations, and the adoption of advanced cybersecurity measures. By bridging the gaps in existing recruitment practices, this research aims to provide actionable insights for organizations to create a secure, transparent, and trustworthy recruitment ecosystem in India.