The Baghpat Police have busted a large and organised online job fraud network that allegedly cheated unemployed youth of crores of rupees by impersonating recruiters on platforms such as OLX and Naukri.com. Investigators revealed that the racket operated through a web of more than 10,000 mobile numbers and at least 6,450 financial transactions, targeting job seekers across multiple states.
Police said the accused lured victims by posting attractive job advertisements on popular online portals and social media platforms. Once contact was established, candidates were subjected to fake telephonic or online interviews, followed by forged offer letters, appointment documents and employment agreements crafted to closely resemble legitimate corporate communications.
Noida Hub With Nationwide Reach
According to investigators, while the fraud network had operational footprints in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and several districts of Uttar Pradesh, the central call-handling and operational control of the racket was being run from Noida.
Senior officers said the gang exploited the vulnerability and desperation of job seekers by promising quick placements in private companies, logistics firms, call centres and service-sector roles. Victims were then asked to deposit money under various pretexts, including registration fees, security deposits, training charges, background verification fees and documentation costs.
Seven Arrested, Including Two Women
In a coordinated operation, Baghpat Police arrested seven accused, including two women, who were allegedly responsible for handling calls, managing bank and digital wallet accounts, and preparing fake recruitment material.
During searches, police recovered a large cache of mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, hard drives, digital storage devices, forged offer letters, fake agreements and identity documents. Preliminary analysis indicates that the accused used bulk SIM procurement, frequently rotated phone numbers, and routed funds through multiple accounts to avoid detection.
Modus Operandi: Trust Building Before Extortion
Investigators said the fraud followed a structured and repeatable pattern. After initial contact, candidates were sent professionally drafted emails and PDF documents mimicking real corporate formats. In some cases, victims were even provided joining dates, reporting locations and HR contact details, making the scam appear genuine.
Once payments were transferred, communication from the accused gradually declined. Eventually, victims were blocked entirely, and the job offers vanished. Complaints from victims in different states later revealed common phone numbers, bank accounts and communication patterns, triggering a deeper investigation.
Financial Trail Under Intensive Scrutiny
Police officials said the money trail is now under forensic examination to determine the exact proceeds of crime, which are estimated to run into several crores of rupees. Investigators are examining whether shell accounts, mule accounts or cryptocurrency channels were used to launder the funds.
Authorities confirmed that further arrests are likely as call detail records, IP logs, banking trails and data from seized devices are analysed.
Police Advisory for Job Seekers
Following the bust, Baghpat Police issued a strong advisory urging job seekers to remain cautious while responding to online job advertisements.
“No genuine employer asks for money for recruitment, interviews or offer letters. Any demand for upfront payment in the name of job processing should be treated as a red flag,” a senior officer said.
Police advised citizens to verify recruiters through official company websites, avoid payments to personal accounts, and immediately report suspicious activity to cybercrime authorities.
Conclusion
The exposure of this racket highlights the growing sophistication of online job frauds, particularly on widely used digital platforms. Police said the case serves as a stark reminder that while job portals offer convenience and access, they are increasingly being exploited by organised criminal networks, making vigilance, verification and timely reporting essential for job seekers across the country.
