Apna.co launches AI-powered tool 'Apna Safety' to curb job scams in India during festive hiring

In a significant move to enhance job security, Bengaluru's Apna.co has launched an AI-driven tool named Apna Safety, designed to tackle fraudulent recruitment practices that typically spike during India's festive hiring season. This cutting-edge system conducts thorough verification of recruiters by utilizing official business records, domain checks, and digital activity patterns to generate a credibility score. The results from the pilot program conducted in August and September 2025 were promising, with Apna Safety successfully verifying over 146,000 recruiters. This initiative led to a remarkable 45% decrease in exposure to scams for job seekers. Additionally, the platform reported a 60% decline in safety-related complaints, while its Play Store rating increased to an impressive 4.7. So, how does Apna Safety function? The platform allows candidates to verify the authenticity of recruiters by simply entering a phone number. Recruiters are categorized as active, blocked, or unregistered, and users can report any suspicious profiles directly. The AI system cross-references company details with GST, PAN, and CIN records, while individual recruiter information is validated through Aadhaar. Recruiters who do not pass these checks face restrictions or outright blocking. Moreover, the feature identifies common scam tactics, such as requests for registration fees, security deposits, and training charges, alerting candidates in real-time when such issues arise. Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO of Apna.co, emphasized the importance of the launch, stating: “With AI-powered Apna Safety, we are setting a new standard for verification and accountability in the hiring ecosystem and moving decisively toward a scam-free job market. Our mission is clear: every Indian should be able to pursue opportunity with confidence, dignity, and safety.” Data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) highlights the severity of the issue, revealing that cyber frauds cost Indians over ₹22,800 crore in 2024, with job scams and work-from-home schemes being the most prevalent complaints. Industry estimates suggest that job-related scams alone resulted in losses of around ₹5,100 crore, significantly impacting fresh graduates and frontline workers in sectors like e-commerce, logistics, telecalling, and customer support.