Delhi Police have detained three individuals suspected of running a sophisticated fake‑recruitment racket inside the Income Tax Department’s Civic Centre. The accused posed as department officials, luring unemployed youths through social‑media ads that promised vacancies in the tax department.

Modus Operandi of the Scam

According to investigators, each victim was charged between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakhs, amounting to roughly ₹10 million across six to seven applicants. The first complaint came from a resident of Ajmeri Gate, who reported a loss of over ₹2 lakhs after being promised a multi‑tasking staff position.

How the Fraud Was Executed

The gang members introduced themselves as department employees, escorted aspirants into the building’s parking area, and conducted mock interviews and orientation sessions. They produced counterfeit verification forms, service books, and ID‑card drafts to create an illusion of authenticity. Victims were also asked to submit educational documents and were shown fake payment receipts.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

An FIR lodged at Hauz Qazi police station on May 18 triggered a technical surveillance operation. The police seized four mobile phones, victim identity documents, and forged verification sheets. The arrested include Rohit Chauhan (alias Deepak Tiwari, 37), Chirag Aggarwal (alias Naveen Prakash, 41, former MTS employee), and Tarun Goswami (alias Giriraj, 37). A fourth suspect, Pawan Dutt Sharma, a former multitasking staff, remains under interrogation.

Implications and Future Safeguards

This case underscores the vulnerability of job‑seekers to organized fraud that exploits both digital platforms and physical government premises. Experts warn that stricter access controls to official buildings and heightened public awareness about verifying recruitment notices through authentic government portals are essential to curb such scams.

Police continue to trace the alleged mastermind, identify additional victims, and examine possible links to other fraudulent networks operating in the capital.