Archana’s Story: Learning About Online Safety the Hard Way

Archana, a student from Yadgir, Karnataka, was studying at a training center under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). She dreamt of working as a cabin crew member for a major airline. One day, she got a message claiming she got a job offer She was asked to provide her personal and educational details. Although her documents weren’t verified, she was told to pay Rs. 750 for a police verification. Excited about the job, she borrowed money and paid the amount. 

Later, she was asked to pay an additional amount of Rs. 4850 to open a salary account just before her joining date. Confused, Archana talked to her friends. They suggested discussing it during their cyber-safety trainings conducted as a part of the Cyber Security Program. In the training, they learned that real companies never ask for money during the hiring process. To check, Archana visited the official airline website, and it confirmed the warning. She realized her mistake, told her parents, and reported the fraud to the concerned cybercrime authorities. Luckily, she avoided a big problem. This incident taught her the importance of verifying things and being careful online. 

Her dream to work in the airline industry stayed strong, her experience making her smarter. Archana now helps communities understand cyber fraud and how to protect themselves online.