Published on 17/09/2025 09:20 PM
Customers' concerns about scammers abusing the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) name are growing. Through emails, chats, and social media posts, scammers are pushing phoney job offers and LPG distributorship schemes that demand large deposits. Numerous individuals have already lost lakhs of rupees as a result of these scams. IOC has clarified that it is not connected to such offers and will not be liable for any losses. The company has urged the public to stay alert and rely only on its official channels for information.
IOC has repeatedly clarified that it never announces vacancies through WhatsApp, Gmail or private messages. All genuine recruitment notices appear only in leading newspapers, in the government's Employment News or Rozgar Samachar and on the company's official website, www.iocl.com.
The corporation does not outsource hiring to private agents or consultants. The only payment it accepts is the application fee, if specified in official advertisements. Any demand for additional money is a clear signal of fraud.
Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source
Another widespread scam involves fraudulent LPG distributorship allotments. People receive letters, e-mails or calls claiming they have been awarded dealerships on behalf of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) or Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL). The fraudsters then ask for advance fees or deposits.
The three oil marketing companies have stressed that they do not appoint middlemen or representatives for distributorship selection. Authentic details are available only on their official websites and the government-backed portal www.lpgvitarakchayan.in.
Consumers have been urged to stay alert when they receive such offers. Scamsters often avoid face-to-face meetings, rely on free email IDs, and push people into making quick payments. Genuine allotments, on the other hand, come only through official channels, follow a clear online process, and include proper field verification.
Anyone who comes across these fake messages should immediately alert the local police and notify the nearest oil company office. Indian Oil has also made it clear that it cannot be held responsible for any money lost to fraudsters.
Those seeking jobs or LPG distributorships are advised to trust only the official websites of IOC, BPCL, and HPCL. Creating awareness within local communities is equally important to ensure others don’t fall prey to similar scams.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience across digital med ...LATEST NEWSBy accepting cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.