Delhi Police has dismantled a fraudulent syndicate that targeted unemployed individuals under the false promise of securing jobs. The accused were operating an unregistered placement agency and fleecing money from job seekers on the pretext of registration and various processing fees. Authorities have apprehended seven individuals in connection with the scam, including five women.
How the Scam Unfolded
The operation came to light following a complaint lodged by a resident of Karol Bagh. The complainant stated that he had applied for a job through an online portal. Soon after, a person posing as a human resources representative contacted him and invited him for an interview on July 25 at an office located in west Delhi's Uttam Nagar area.
Extortion Under the Guise of Registration Fees
Upon reaching the agency office, the victim was asked to deposit 4,800 rupees as registration and account opening charges. Trusting their assurance that the amount would be refunded once employment commenced, the complainant transferred the money online. However, neither did he receive any job offer nor were his funds returned. Subsequently, the mobile number used by the suspects to communicate with him became unreachable. Acting on the grievance, law enforcement registered a case on August 1.
Breakthrough Through Call Records and Bank Trails
Following the registration of the case, a dedicated police team initiated a thorough probe. Investigators analyzed mobile phone logs and traced the bank accounts where the extorted money had been deposited. This technical surveillance led the police to raid the placement agency office situated in Jeevan Park, Uttam Nagar.
Identification of the Apprehended Suspects
During the raid, the team detained seven persons at the spot. The arrested individuals have been identified as Preeti Malhotra, who is alleged to be the kingpin of the syndicate, alongside Divya, Lalita alias Pinky, Naina, Priyanka, Kapil Kumar Sharma, and Lalit Kumar.
Modus Operandi of the Racket
According to investigators, the accused posted lucrative job advertisements on online portals. They would then pose as HR personnel to ensnare unsuspecting job seekers. Following simulated interviews, the perpetrators collected anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 rupees from each candidate under the guise of registration, account opening, and other administrative procedures, while dangling the false promise of a refund.
Broader Network and Ongoing Investigation
Police officials revealed that during the inquiry, a search on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal linked the mobile numbers and bank accounts used by the accused to five additional complaints. This indicates that the syndicate may have duped several other victims. Further investigations into the network are currently underway.
