Thane. A case of large-scale job fraud has come to light in Maharashtra’s Thane district, where a man from Nashik has been booked for allegedly cheating a woman and her acquaintances of Rs 46 lakh by promising them government jobs using forged documents and fake claims of official influence.
Fake Ministry Insider, Real Fraud
According to police officials, the accused allegedly presented himself as a person connected to a government ministry and claimed to have access to influential contacts in the secretariat. Using this false identity, he lured multiple victims with promises of securing permanent government jobs.
The fraud is reported to have taken place between June 7, 2024, and September 2025. During this period, the accused allegedly convinced a 45-year-old woman residing in Bhandup, Mumbai, and her relatives and acquaintances to pay large sums of money in exchange for job assurances.
Investigators said the accused prepared forged government-looking documents with fake signatures to make his claims appear authentic. These fabricated papers were shown to the victims to build trust and pressure them into making payments.
Forged Government Papers Fueled an Rs 46 Lakh Scam
The complainant stated that she alone paid Rs 35.25 lakh, while another victim contributed Rs 14 lakh. The money was handed over at an office in the Dombivli area of Thane district, as part of the alleged arrangement to secure jobs.
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No Jobs, No Full Refund
However, after a prolonged wait, no government appointments were provided to any of the victims. When the victims demanded a refund, the accused allegedly returned only Rs 3.25 lakh and refused to pay the remaining amount of approximately Rs 46 lakh.
Following this, a formal complaint was filed, leading to the registration of a case at Manpada police station on April 20. The accused has been booked under relevant sections related to cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust.
Police officials stated that the accused deliberately built a fake profile to gain the trust of job seekers, exploiting their aspirations for stable government employment. The forged documents and false promises were key tools used to carry out the fraud over an extended period.
Police Probe Widens as Financial Trail
Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused operated in a structured manner, carefully selecting victims and using fabricated paperwork to create the impression of legitimate government recruitment processes. Authorities are also examining whether more individuals were targeted using the same modus operandi.
Officials added that the case highlights a recurring pattern of job-related scams where fraudsters exploit unemployment concerns by promising government positions in exchange for money. Such scams often involve fake appointment letters, forged seals, and impersonation of officials. Police are currently tracing financial transactions and verifying whether any additional accomplices facilitated the fraud. Efforts are also underway to determine if the accused has carried out similar scams in other regions.
The victims have expressed shock over the elaborate deception, stating that they were repeatedly assured of employment through official channels and were shown documents that appeared genuine at the time. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious of individuals claiming to provide government jobs in exchange for money, emphasising that recruitment in government departments follows strict, transparent procedures and does not involve any cash transactions.
Investigations in the case are ongoing, and further action is expected as police continue to gather evidence related to forged documents and financial transfers linked to the accused.
