DEHRADUN: If you’ve recently received a call claiming to be from IBM, HCL, or Amazon offering you a job after a quick interview, beware—it could be part of a massive cyber scam. Uttarakhand’s Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a gang that exploited the hopes of job seekers, particularly from South India, to steal their hard-earned money in the guise of processing fees for job applications.
The STF arrested two key members of this gang and recovered a treasure trove of evidence, including laptops, SIM cards, mobile phones, and ATM cards, which exposed the intricate web of deception.
The Fraudulent Scheme: A False Promise of Employment
The scam was disturbingly simple but highly effective. The gang procured personal data of unemployed youth, mostly from South Indian states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Using this information, they posed as representatives of multinational corporations such as IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, and Amazon.
Victims were contacted with news of their selection for a job. They were required to take an online “test,” which was rigged to ensure they passed. To make the job offer seem authentic, the gang provided fake offer letters and demanded a “processing fee,” which ranged from Rs 250 to as much as Rs 30,000.
This fee was deposited into bank accounts that the gang controlled. These accounts, often created with fake IDs, were quickly closed after reaching a certain limit to avoid detection.
From Cyber Call Center to Crime Hub
The gang operated under the guise of Babaji Transport Company, a transport firm located on the Saharanpur-Dehradun main road. What appeared to be an ordinary business was, in reality, a cybercrime call center.
For Rs 1,000, the gang purchased detailed data sets of job seekers from suppliers in Delhi. This information included names, phone numbers, email IDs, educational backgrounds, and desired industries. Armed with this data, they targeted their victims with precision, often exploiting their desperation for employment.
Breakthrough by Uttarakhand STF
The STF began investigating the gang after receiving complaints through the cybercrime portal (1930) and observing suspicious patterns on Ministry of Home Affairs’ web platforms.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Navneet Singh Bhullar led the investigation. A thorough analysis of suspicious mobile numbers and bank transactions revealed that large sums of money—deposited in small increments of Rs 2,500 to Rs 30,000—were being funneled into specific accounts.
Most of the funds originated from South Indian states, confirming that the gang was targeting a specific demographic.
After 15 days of surveillance in Dehradun’s Patel Nagar area, the STF raided the office of Babaji Transport Company and arrested two suspects.
Arrested Accused and Seized Evidence
The arrested individuals are:
- Ishvinder Shergill alias Sunny (30), a resident of Dehradun and the gang’s mastermind.
- Vivek Rawat (32), originally from Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal, now residing in New Delhi.
From their possession, the STF seized:
- Two laptops
- Seven pre-activated SIM cards
- 12 ATM cards
- Seven mobile phones
- Passbooks and cheque books of five banks
- Four walkie-talkie sets
A Deceptive Setup
During interrogation, Ishvinder revealed that he had a history of cyber fraud and was even jailed in 2019 for similar crimes in Delhi. After his release, he met Vivek at a cybercrime call center, and the duo decided to establish their operation in Dehradun.
The gang also created fake NGO entities, such as Sunny Foundation and Baba G Transport Company, to provide a veneer of legitimacy. With a team of three to four accomplices, they began making calls nationwide, luring victims with promises of high-paying jobs.
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Victims Speak: A Nationwide Scam
Preliminary investigations uncovered 25 complaints filed on the 1930 cybercrime portal from South Indian states. However, authorities believe the actual number of victims could be much higher.
The gang targeted vulnerable youth who were eager for employment, leaving many in financial distress after paying processing fees.
SSP Bhullar’s Stern Warning
Speaking about the operation, SSP Navneet Singh Bhullar said, “If anyone thinks of committing cybercrimes from Uttarakhand, they will be destroyed. The STF is fully equipped to handle such cases and will continue to crack down on cybercriminals.”
He praised the coordinated efforts of the STF team and assured that additional arrests of gang members are imminent.
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Protect Yourself: Tips to Avoid Job Scams
Authorities have issued the following guidelines to help job seekers stay safe:
- Verify job offers: Always confirm the authenticity of an offer directly with the company.
- Beware of fees: Reputable companies do not charge candidates for processing fees or medical tests.
- Report fraud: If you suspect fraud, report it immediately through the cybercrime portal (1930).
If you or someone you know has been a victim of such scams, contact cybercrime authorities immediately. Stay alert, stay informed, and don’t let fraudsters exploit your aspirations.
