The rise of AI-assisted cheating and proxy interviews is forcing tech giants to change their hiring approach. Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed that the company now requires at least one round of in-person interviews to curb fraud. Cisco and other multinational firms are reportedly adopting similar measures.
The issue of impersonation in India’s IT sector grew rapidly after COVID-19, when remote work became common. Organised rackets exploited the system, placing unqualified candidates in jobs through proxy interviews. Some used stand-ins during video calls, while others lip-synced answers provided by hidden helpers.
In one case, a man from Telangana landed a job at Infosys using a proxy interview but was later caught when his weak performance gave him away. Fraud networks in Hyderabad and nearby regions have even been found running fake placement agencies, tricking job seekers with counterfeit offers from firms like Cognizant and IBM.
Authorities have also uncovered scams involving forged degrees and professional impersonators trained to act as candidates during online hiring rounds. Recruiters admit these practices are especially common in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, damaging trust across the industry.
One shocking incident showed how bold these scams have become. During an online interview, a woman was caught lip-syncing. When asked to wear earphones, she mistakenly said, “They don’t have an earphone,” exposing the fraud attempt.
With AI tools now making it easier to fake skills and identities, companies are returning to face-to-face evaluations. For India’s IT sector, this marks a major turning point. The loopholes of virtual hiring are closing, and only genuine talent will survive the new scrutiny.
