In a major cybercrime breakthrough, Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) Unit has uncovered a fake call centre operating from Sector 3, Noida. The centre was involved in scamming job seekers across India using recruiter access to Shine.com and Naukri.com.
The raid, which led to the arrest of 14 people including six women and the alleged mastermind Fahiq Siddiqui, followed a complaint from a woman who lost over ₹30,000 to the scam. She reported being lured through a fraudulent job interview process and was repeatedly asked to make payments for a training kit, document verification, and other fake onboarding services.
How the Scam Worked
The call centre team posed as recruiters from reputable firms, using professional language and fake credentials. They contacted victims who had uploaded resumes on job portals and offered them attractive positions.
Once the victim showed interest, they were tricked into paying various charges with the promise of job confirmation and onboarding. Many victims paid amounts ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, hoping for employment that never materialized.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO) Hemant Tiwari:
“The accused used recruiter access on top job portals to reach out to job seekers. They demanded payments under the guise of registration and training, duping hundreds nationwide.”
Recovered Items and Arrest Details
The raid resulted in the seizure of:
- 8 laptops
- 47 mobile phones
- 57 SIM cards
- 15 debit cards
- ₹1.31 lakh in cash
Police also arrested Mohit Kumar alias Sumit, who was responsible for providing fake SIM cards and bank accounts used to collect payments from victims. These mule accounts helped the scammers bypass detection and transfer funds quickly.
A Well-Oiled Scam Operation
Investigators believe the syndicate used fake documents to gain recruiter access on platforms like Naukri and Shine. The gang may have defrauded hundreds of job seekers over several months. Authorities are currently analyzing call logs, payment trails, and recovered devices to identify the full extent of the operation.
Cyber experts are collaborating with employment platforms and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to investigate whether platform loopholes enabled the fraud.
How to Stay Safe from Fake Job Offers
If you’re currently searching for a job, follow these safety guidelines to protect yourself from scams:
- Never pay money for a job offer. Legitimate employers do not ask for upfront payments.
- Verify the recruiter’s details via official company websites or LinkedIn before responding.
- Be skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true or come with urgent time limits.
- Report any suspicious contact on the Cyber Crime Portal or through 1930 (Cyber Helpline).
FAQs
How were the scammers accessing Naukri.com and Shine.com recruiter tools?
The group either created fake companies or used stolen recruiter credentials to gain access and list fraudulent job postings.
Will the victims get their money back?
Authorities are working to freeze the fraudulent accounts. Victims who file timely complaints may receive reimbursements after legal procedures.
Were any known companies impersonated in the scam?
Yes, the scammers falsely claimed to represent well-known private firms, enhancing their credibility during calls.
Is this scam limited to Delhi NCR?
No. Victims across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka, have been identified. The scam had nationwide reach.
What is Delhi Police doing next?
Police are analyzing recovered data to track more victims, identify additional gang members, and strengthen job portal security with platform collaboration.