AHMEDABAD: A major recruitment fraud promising government jobs in exchange for money has been exposed in Gujarat, with police arresting a man accused of cheating unemployed youth and their families out of nearly ₹68 lakh. The accused, Bharat Parmar, allegedly posed as a senior official of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and claimed he could secure jobs in various government departments and public sector undertakings through his influence.
The arrest was made by Halol Rural Police in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district following an investigation into multiple complaints. Investigators believe the scam may be much larger than the ₹68 lakh identified so far, with the possibility that several more victims across the state were targeted over a period of years.
According to police, Parmar had studied only up to Class VII but allegedly created an elaborate identity as a powerful government official. He reportedly convinced job seekers that he had strong connections within government agencies and could arrange appointments in exchange for substantial payments.
Modus Operandi and Fabricated Documentation
The investigation revealed that the accused had allegedly established a network of agents across Gujarat. These agents identified unemployed candidates and their families and persuaded them that government jobs could be secured through Parmar’s contacts. He is accused of promising recruitment in prestigious organizations, including ONGC and other public sector entities.
To make the operation appear legitimate, candidates were allegedly provided with fake interview call letters, forged appointment-related documents and fabricated correspondence carrying the names of government institutions. Many victims reportedly believed the recruitment process was genuine after receiving the documents.
The fraud came to light after several victims approached police with similar allegations. One of the key complaints was filed by a retired railway employee, who claimed that he met Bharat Parmar in 2020. During their interaction, Parmar allegedly introduced himself as an FCI director and assured him that securing a government job for his son would be easy through his network.
According to the complaint, the accused collected more than ₹7.78 lakh through RTGS transfers and cash payments in exchange for the promised appointment. Parmar later handed over what appeared to be an official recruitment letter. However, no interview, verification process or recruitment activity ever took place.
The Arrest and Seizure of Evidence
As doubts grew, the complainant repeatedly demanded his money back. Police said the accused returned approximately ₹3 lakh but failed to repay the remaining amount. Further inquiries uncovered several similar complaints, leading investigators to suspect a wider recruitment racket. Based on evidence gathered so far, authorities estimate that multiple victims were cheated out of nearly ₹68 lakh.
Following surveillance and intelligence gathering, police apprehended Bharat Parmar from a guest house located on the Halol-Godhra bypass road. During the operation, officers recovered more than 15 bank passbooks linked to different accounts, eight mobile phones, duplicate FCI letterheads, forged appointment letters and numerous documents suspected to have been used in the scam.
Expert Advice on Recruitment Frauds
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said fraudsters involved in job scams often exploit the aspirations of unemployed youth by using forged documents and false claims of influence. He advised candidates to rely only on official recruitment channels and remain cautious whenever money is demanded in exchange for employment opportunities.
Police are now examining the accused’s financial transactions, communication records and the identities of individuals connected to the network. Investigators suspect the racket may have been operating for several years and could have spread across multiple districts in Gujarat. The role of the accused’s associates, driver and alleged agents is also under scrutiny. Authorities believe further interrogation could reveal additional victims and expose the full extent of the recruitment scam.
