തട്ടിപ്പ് Trending in India: Kerala Police Uncover Multi-Crore Overseas Job Scam by Amster Overseas MD

What Happened: The Parvathy Maya Shaji Arrest

In late September 2026, the Malayalam term തട്ടിപ്പ് (fraud/scam) trended across India, with Google Trends recording approximately 2,000 searches and 700% growth in the 24 hours to 27 September 2026. The surge was triggered by news that Kerala police had arrested Parvathy Maya Shaji, the managing director of Amster Overseas Private Limited, for allegedly orchestrating a multi-crore overseas job fraud.

According to Manorama Online (26 September 2026), police described the case as a multi-crore fraud in which victims were allegedly threatened into silence, with luxury cars and expensive jewellery used to lure job seekers.

How Social Media Glamour Lured Victims

The scheme allegedly operated by showcasing a lavish lifestyle on Instagram and YouTube, featuring Rolls-Royce cars and high-value gold ornaments. These reels were designed to build trust and appeal to aspirational job seekers. According to Asianet News (27 September 2026), money was collected by promising jobs in Armenia, Poland, Canada and Australia. Once victims paid processing fees, refund requests were allegedly met with threats and intimidation.

Police recorded more than twenty complaints from victims across Kerala after news of the arrest spread, with similar cases reported in districts including Kozhikode and Thrissur. Mathrubhumi (26 September 2026) reported that the Amster Overseas and Amster Immigration Overseas establishments lacked the licence required for overseas recruitment, and that a large share of the collected funds was routed through foreign bank accounts.

Key Accused and Ongoing Investigation

Alongside Parvathy Maya Shaji, police named her husband and firm co-owner Aneesh Menon, managers Abhijith Nair, Aju K. Mathew and Vishnu Vijayan, and her father Shaji as accused. Police said Aneesh was believed to be in Dubai, and announced lookout notices for the remaining accused along with a report to the Enforcement Directorate detailing money allegedly moved abroad. The Ernakulam Magistrate Court granted one day of police custody, and a bail plea decision was expected on Monday, 28 September 2026.

What Job Seekers Should Know

• Verify recruitment agencies: Use only overseas recruitment agencies holding a valid licence from the Protector of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Be wary of upfront fees: Demands for large "processing" payments before any verified job offer are a common fraud signal.
• Distrust lifestyle marketing: Luxury cars and jewellery in social media reels are not proof of a legitimate business.
• Report promptly: Victims can file complaints with local police; in this case, Palarivattom police registered the initial cases.

Note: The details above are based on police statements and news reports as of 26–27 September 2026; legal guilt has not been established by a court, and the allegations remain unproven.