A major controversy has erupted in the global tech community after multiple US startup founders accused Indian software engineer Soham Parekh of scamming several companies by working at multiple startups simultaneously under false pretences. The issue came to light when Suhail Doshi, co-founder and former CEO of Mixpanel and founder of Playground AI, publicly warned other entrepreneurs about Parekh’s alleged actions via a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). Doshi claimed that Parekh was hired at Playground AI but was fired within the first week after his duplicity was discovered.

Doshi’s allegations sparked a wider discussion, as at least five US-based CEOs echoed similar experiences, stating that Parekh had been moonlighting at three to four startups at once, often targeting Y Combinator-backed companies. Doshi also posted Parekh’s CV online, asserting that “probably 90%” of the claims on it were fabricated, including roles at well-known firms such as Dynamo AI, Union AI, Synthesia, Alan AI, and Fleet AI. Other founders and hiring managers described Parekh as highly convincing in interviews, making him difficult to detect despite repeated terminations.

The revelations have ignited a viral meme storm and heated debate across Silicon Valley and India’s tech circles, with many labeling the case as one of the most brazen employment scams in recent memory. The incident has also highlighted the growing trend of “overemployment,” where skilled professionals juggle multiple remote jobs undetected, sometimes earning substantial sums by exploiting loopholes in remote hiring practices. Screenshots from online forums reveal that some individuals boast of making over $800,000 a year through such practices.

In response to the mounting backlash, Soham Parekh reportedly reached out to Doshi, asking whether he had “completely sabotaged” his career and seeking advice on how to improve his situation. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some questioning Parekh’s motives and others remarking on his technical abilities and interview skills.