Bengaluru, July 10 -- When Sandip Ghosh, an engineer in New Delhi, signed up with Broomees to hire a 24/7 housekeeper, he thought he was finally buying peace of mind.

For an annual subscription fee of Rs.36,000, he expected the startup, which connects household workers with customers, to provide a hassle-free service, reliable replacements, and verified workers.

"They make you pay before they even start the search," Ghosh said, recounting how the service's pitch had sounded slick and reassuring. The reality, he added, was far from it.

The first housekeeper left after four months, as informed in advance. The second vanished in two days. The third came after six weeks and set off alarms.

"When I tried to check her Aadhaar, she said the ...