A 55-year-old resident of Thane has allegedly lost ₹12.67 lakh after falling victim to an elaborate job scam in which fraudsters promised lucrative employment opportunities in exchange for money. The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat of employment-related frauds targeting job seekers and their families across Maharashtra.
According to police, the victim was approached by individuals who claimed they could arrange a secure job through their influential contacts. The accused allegedly assured him that the recruitment process was genuine and demanded payments under various pretexts, including registration charges, documentation fees, medical examinations, training expenses and appointment processing. Believing the promises, the man transferred a total of ₹12.67 lakh over multiple transactions.
To convince the victim, the fraudsters reportedly shared forged documents, fake appointment letters and other fabricated paperwork that appeared to be issued by government authorities or reputed organisations. The accused remained in regular contact for several weeks, repeatedly asking for additional payments while assuring the victim that the appointment would be confirmed soon.
The scam came to light after the promised job never materialised. Whenever the victim sought updates, the accused allegedly delayed the process with new excuses before eventually becoming unreachable. Realising he had been cheated, the man approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy. Investigators are examining bank transactions, digital communication records and other evidence to identify and trace the accused. Officials are also trying to determine whether the suspects are linked to a larger network involved in similar recruitment scams.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious while applying for jobs and warned that no genuine employer or government recruitment agency demands large sums of money in exchange for appointments. Applicants have been advised to verify recruitment notices through official websites, avoid transferring money to unknown individuals and immediately report suspicious offers to the cyber crime helpline or the nearest police station.
The latest incident adds to a growing number of employment-related fraud cases reported across the country, where scammers exploit the aspirations of job seekers by offering fake recruitment opportunities and collecting hefty payments before disappearing. Authorities have appealed to the public to stay vigilant and verify every job offer before making any financial transaction.
