A major job fraud racket targeting unemployed youth has been busted in the city, exposing a well-organized network operating under the guise of a fake call center. Acting on a tip-off, Sarnath police conducted a raid in the Nai Bazaar area and arrested six accused involved in the scam. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the network had been active for a long time and had allegedly cheated hundreds of job seekers through multiple stages of extortion.
Modus operandi — fake ads, fees and security deposits
According to police officials, the gang presented itself as a legitimate recruitment and call center service provider. However, during the raid, no valid registration documents or legal proof of operations were found at the site, confirming that the entire setup was fake and designed solely to target unemployed youth.
Investigations show that the accused used social media platforms to post attractive job advertisements. These ads were used to lure candidates, who were then contacted via phone calls and messages. During interactions, victims were assured that they could secure jobs in reputed companies across the country, which helped the gang gain their trust.
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Once the candidates were trapped, the fraud process began. The first step involved collecting a registration fee, followed by additional charges under the guise of training programs. The biggest exploitation came in the form of so-called “security deposits,” which were promised to be refunded later. However, none of the victims ever received their money back.
Organised structure and evidence seized
Police investigation has further revealed that the gang operated in a highly structured manner. Different members handled different roles—some managed social media advertisements, others handled calling and counseling operations, while a separate group managed payments and financial transactions. This created an organized corporate-like structure, though it was entirely built around fraudulent activities.
The raid was conducted under the supervision of ACP Vidyut Saxena, Sarnath, based on confidential intelligence inputs. Six individuals were taken into custody from the location, and several mobile phones, computer systems, and important documents were seized. All digital evidence has been sent for forensic examination to trace further links in the network.
Victims, scope and expanding probe
Officials stated that several victims have already come forward, most of whom are students and unemployed youth. Preliminary estimates suggest that the fraud amount could run into several lakhs of rupees, although the final assessment will be confirmed after the completion of the investigation.
Authorities also believe that the racket may not be limited to Varanasi alone. There is a strong possibility that similar networks are active in other districts and states, operating with the same modus operandi. Based on this suspicion, the scope of the investigation is being expanded.
Experts have pointed out that rising unemployment and intense job competition are being exploited by such gangs. Social media has become their primary tool, allowing them to target vulnerable individuals without verification or accountability.
At present, all the accused are being interrogated to identify the main mastermind behind the operation. Investigators are also trying to determine the total number of victims and the overall financial damage caused by the scam.
Police have indicated that more arrests are likely in the coming days, as initial findings suggest the involvement of additional suspects connected to the wider network.
