Noida: Uttar Pradesh Police have busted a fake placement racket that allegedly cheated hundreds of unemployed job seekers by promising jobs in reputed private companies. Six people, including a woman, have been arrested by the Sector-20 Police Station for operating a fraudulent call centre that collected processing fees from candidates without providing employment. Investigators believe the gang has been active for nearly one and a half years and has duped around 500 people, with the actual number of victims likely to be much higher.
According to the police, the fake placement call centre was operating from a building in Atta Market, Sector-27, Noida. The accused allegedly invited unemployed candidates for interviews and recruitment formalities after promising placements in well-known companies. Applicants were then asked to pay processing fees ranging from ₹1,300 to ₹1,500. Once the money was collected, the accused either stopped responding to the candidates or continued delaying them with false assurances.
The arrested accused have been identified as Shweta Singh of Unnao, Niju Yadav of Sector-22, Pooja of Ashok Nagar, Kirti Singh of New Ashok Nagar, Rupesh Kumar of Chaura Village, and Aamir Rana of Hapur. Police are questioning all six suspects to uncover the wider network, trace financial transactions, and identify any additional accomplices involved in the operation.
During the raid, investigators seized three mobile phones, 11 fee books, four receipt books, 22 promotional pamphlets, and 20 completed recruitment application forms. The confiscated digital devices and documents are being examined to reconstruct the fraud network, identify additional victims, and trace the money trail generated through the scam.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang primarily targeted unemployed youth through social media advertisements and pamphlets pasted at public places and marketplaces. The promotional material claimed to offer immediate recruitment in reputed companies with attractive salary packages and a simple selection process. Interested candidates were called to the office, asked to complete registration formalities, and required to pay processing charges before being subjected to fake interviews designed to make the recruitment process appear genuine.
Police are also verifying the accused’s mobile numbers and digital activities through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to determine whether complaints have been registered against them in other states or cities. Investigators suspect that the fraud may have a much wider geographical reach than initially believed.
The investigation is now focused on identifying the mastermind behind the racket, determining the total amount of money collected from victims, establishing how long the operation had been functioning, and identifying any additional individuals or organisations associated with the network. Digital evidence, bank account details, and call records are being analysed to uncover the full extent of the operation.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that employment scams are becoming increasingly common as fraudsters exploit the desperation of job seekers. He advised candidates to remain cautious whenever a private company or placement agency demands processing fees, registration charges, or security deposits before offering employment. Prospective employees should always verify recruitment information through the company’s official website or authorised hiring agencies before making any payment. Police have registered a case against the accused under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, and further investigation is underway.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
