Teen 'traumatised' by Google job hoax now under investigation

An Indian boy who made headlines a few days ago for claiming he had been offered a "dream job" with Google is being investigated as Google reportedly denied the offer had ever happened.

Harshit Sharma, a 16-year-old from India, first shot to the limelight when he announced he'd been hired by Google to do graphic design.

His school principal even sent out a media release about it, with Sharma's "achievement" details.

"Harshit got a phone call. We did not believe it at first. I kept telling him it could be a hoax. He shared the information with his school principal, who further released a press note, which led to media coverage," his mother Bharti Sharma told the Hindustan Times.

The teenager said Google had hired him based on his interest in graphic design and his portfolio of Bollywood movie poster designs.

"Who knew that an average student like me will get a job in Google. I can't share my happiness how I am feeling, it's like a dream has come true. My hard work has paid off well," he told The Indian Express at the time.

However, Google reportedly said it has no record of ever having hired the teen.

The controversy means Sharma is now the subject of an investigation.

The Chandigarh Education Department says it is now investigating the boy's claims and an official inquiry has been launched.

"Harshit's parents have accepted that their son has committed a mistake (by claiming to have been selected by Google)," school principal Indra Beniwal told the local news.

The teenager is said to have been hospitalised following the incident.