Introduction
In a shocking exposé that has rocked the tech startup world, AI Founder Suhail Doshi has accused Indian tech professional Soham Parekh of masterminding a deceptive scam targeting multiple startups. According to Doshi, Parekh manipulated several U.S.-based AI startups simultaneously, allegedly holding positions at three or more companies at once — a classic case of moonlighting gone rogue.
This dramatic revelation, now trending across social media platforms, has stirred up heated debates on remote hiring, ethical conduct in the startup ecosystem, and the unchecked risks many AI Founders face today.
This story isn’t just about one engineer—it raises urgent questions about the future of work, recruitment, and how startups, particularly those in AI, must better protect themselves.
📌 Table of Contents
- How the AI Founder Exposed the Scam
- Who is Soham Parekh?
- AI Founder’s Viral Warning Goes Global
- Other AI Startups Join In
- Tech Community Divided: Fraud or Hustle?
- The Remote Hiring Dilemma for Every AI Founder
- Legal Risks for Startups & Founders
- How AI Founders Can Avoid Similar Scams
- Conclusion & Final Thoughts
- Additional Resources
1. How the AI Founder Exposed the Scam
It all began with a viral post from AI Founder Suhail Doshi, best known as the co-founder of analytics giant Mixpanel and now the mind behind Playground AI, a cutting-edge AI company.
In a candid post on X (formerly Twitter), Doshi wrote:
“PSA: There’s a guy named Soham Parekh who works at 3–4 startups at the same time under false pretenses. I fired this guy in his first week after catching this. Beware.”
This post immediately went viral, drawing reactions from other startup founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts.
Key SEO Fact: By targeting the keyword AI Founder in this section, we strengthen search visibility.
External Source:
Read Suhail Doshi’s post here on NDTV.
2. Who Is Soham Parekh?
The man at the center of this storm is Soham Parekh, an engineer based in India, who has now been dubbed by some in the startup world as the “Moonlighting Scammer.”
Highlights from Parekh’s Resume:
- Degrees from University of Mumbai and Georgia Tech
- Past roles at big-name companies like GitHub, Synthesia, Union.ai, and others.
- Self-reported experience in AI, Machine Learning, and DevOps.
However, upon closer examination, many of these claims were found to be exaggerated or entirely fabricated. According to Doshi, “90% of his resume is fake.”
Many links in Parekh’s online profiles led to dead pages or unrelated projects — a classic red flag for seasoned AI Founders.
3. AI Founder’s Viral Warning Goes Global
The sheer boldness of Parekh’s alleged actions shocked the global tech community, particularly as other AI Founders chimed in with similar stories.
Notable Founder Reactions:
- Flo Crivello, Founder of Lindy AI, revealed that Parekh had also been hired by their company, only to be fired within a week.
- Matthew Parkhurst from Antimetal AI described Parekh as “really smart and likeable,” but also confirmed discovering his multiple job scams.
- Nicolai Ouporov of Fleet AI called Parekh’s behavior an “ongoing scam,” claiming he’d been doing this for years.
These testimonies revealed a troubling pattern—despite being caught, Parekh allegedly continued to deceive other companies.
4. Other AI Startups Join In
The revelations didn’t stop there. By the following day, at least five AI Founders had publicly confirmed that Parekh had also scammed their companies.
Startups reported:
- Inflated resumes
- Duplicate LinkedIn profiles
- Simultaneous employment at several startups
- Quick disappearing acts once suspicions arose
Even more alarming, some said Parekh had been collecting high salaries from multiple employers simultaneously, leading to losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars collectively.
5. Tech Community Divided: Fraud or Hustle?
The fallout from the AI Founder Suhail Doshi’s revelations about Soham Parekh has sparked a fierce debate in the tech world. Is Parekh a calculated fraudster, or just a clever hustler exploiting the flaws in remote hiring?
The Fraud Perspective
Many founders and industry veterans see this case as a blatant breach of trust — a startup scam that undermines the very foundation of collaboration and transparency. Founders emphasize that Parekh’s fabrications about his resume and simultaneous employment at multiple companies represent classic fraud.
“Hiring someone who can’t be honest about where they work or their credentials is not just unprofessional; it’s a business risk that can cost millions,” said one AI startup CEO, speaking anonymously.
The Hustler’s Defense
On the other hand, some argue that Parekh’s story reflects the “side hustle culture” ingrained in today’s gig economy, especially in tech. They say the desire to juggle multiple roles is not necessarily unethical if deliverables and performance are met.
“I know plenty of engineers moonlighting, and honestly, if you’re delivering value, who cares? The problem is more about startups failing to set clear policies,” said a mid-level developer in Silicon Valley.
AI Founder’s Stance
However, as an AI Founder himself, Doshi has been firm:
“This is not hustle; it’s deceit. When you sign a contract, you owe transparency. Otherwise, you’re risking people’s livelihoods and innovation.”
This clash highlights a deeper issue — startups and AI founders must redefine work ethics in the remote era and establish clearer boundaries.
6. The Remote Hiring Dilemma for Every AI Founder
The Parekh scandal is a glaring example of the challenges faced by AI founders and startup leaders in today’s remote hiring landscape.
Why Remote Hiring Is Risky
- Lack of physical oversight: Without face-to-face interaction, it’s easier for employees to hide moonlighting or misconduct.
- Verification limitations: Remote hiring platforms often rely on automated resume parsing, which can miss falsified claims.
- Cultural disconnect: Time zone differences and lack of personal engagement reduce trust-building opportunities.
- Rapid growth pressures: Startups eager to scale quickly may overlook thorough vetting in favor of speed.
Common Remote Hiring Pitfalls Exposed by This Scandal
- Relying too heavily on resumes without validating credentials and references
- Not monitoring initial work deliverables closely in the crucial onboarding period
- Over-trusting candidates without background checks or probationary contracts
Many AI founders have realized that hiring quality talent remotely requires new protocols tailored to the unique risks of the virtual workplace.
7. Legal Risks for Startups & Founders
Beyond reputational damage, the Soham Parekh case also surfaces critical legal risks for startups and AI Founders who unwittingly onboard fraudulent employees.
Potential Legal Implications
- Breach of contract: If the employee falsifies credentials or employment status, it can void contracts and lead to costly lawsuits.
- Intellectual property risk: Employees working simultaneously at multiple firms could risk IP theft or data leakage.
- Financial loss: Paying multiple salaries for non-existent full-time work can strain startup finances.
- Liability for negligence: Founders may face legal scrutiny for negligent hiring or lack of due diligence.
How AI Founders Can Protect Themselves Legally
- Draft clear employment agreements with anti-moonlighting clauses
- Include probation periods with strict performance reviews
- Conduct background checks using third-party verifiers or AI-powered vetting tools
- Seek legal counsel to develop hiring policies aligned with local labor laws
Ignoring these risks can expose startups to lawsuits, regulatory fines, and irreparable damage to investor trust.
8. How AI Founders Can Avoid Similar Scams
Learning from this high-profile scandal, here’s a detailed checklist every AI Founder should follow to safeguard their startups from fraudulent hires:
AI Founder’s Hiring Safeguard Checklist
- Leverage AI Screening Tools:
Use AI-powered software that cross-checks resumes, flags inconsistencies, and verifies professional credentials automatically. - Conduct Live Assessments:
Host live coding sessions, technical interviews, or practical tests to verify skills beyond the resume. - Perform Thorough Reference Checks:
Reach out directly to previous employers or contacts listed by the candidate. - Include Clear Anti-Moonlighting Clauses:
Specify in contracts that working for multiple employers simultaneously without permission is grounds for immediate termination. - Implement Probation Periods:
Set a 30- to 90-day probation with regular performance evaluations and check-ins. - Monitor Early Work Output:
Pay close attention to deliverables, responsiveness, and engagement in the first weeks. - Use Background Verification Services:
Partner with third-party providers who can validate educational and professional backgrounds. - Foster Transparent Communication:
Encourage employees to disclose outside engagements upfront to build trust.
By combining AI tools with human oversight, AI founders can better detect fraud attempts before they cause significant damage.
9. Conclusion & Final Thoughts
The shocking saga of Soham Parekh’s alleged multi-startup scam is a wake-up call for the global startup ecosystem — especially for AI founders who rely heavily on remote talent.
This incident underscores the critical need for enhanced transparency, due diligence, and proactive hiring practices in an era where remote work blurs the lines of accountability.
As AI Founder Suhail Doshi bluntly put it:
“We build the future, but only if we can trust the people building it alongside us.”
For AI founders, the lessons are clear: no matter how promising a candidate looks, proper vetting and ongoing scrutiny are non-negotiable. Otherwise, you risk not only financial loss but also the erosion of your company’s reputation and innovation potential.
The Parekh case has ignited conversations across LinkedIn, X, and startup forums worldwide — a strong sign that founders are no longer willing to accept opaque hiring and hidden moonlighting as business as usual.
10. Additional Resources & Expert Reads
To further empower AI founders and startup leaders, here are some carefully curated external resources on hiring best practices, remote workforce management, and legal safeguards:
- Remote Hiring Risks and Solutions:
Harvard Business Review: How to Hire Remotely - Building Trust in Virtual Teams:
MIT Sloan Management Review: Trust in Remote Work - Legal Guide for Startups:
Nolo: Startup Hiring Legal Checklist
Closing Call to Action
If you are an AI founder or startup leader, don’t let your guard down. Take this opportunity to revisit your hiring practices, strengthen your verification processes, and foster an environment of transparency and trust.
Share this article with your network and help create a more secure, ethical AI startup ecosystem. Together, we can build the future — but only if we build it on honesty.