In a significant action against online employment fraud, the cyber crime cell and cyber police station of the Lucknow commissionerate have dismantled an illegal call centre operating from Vibhuti Khand and arrested 5 individuals accused of cheating job seekers across India through fake recruitment offers.
The accused were arrested during a raid conducted on June 12 at the 4th floor of JS Tower. During the operation, police seized 11 keypad phones, 2 smartphones, 1 HP laptop, 102 data sheets, and 26 forged documents, including fake appointment letters and approval letters.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Zeeshan Khan (30), Satish Pal (23), Sonali Chaurasia (19), Shivani Verma (21), and Neelu Verma (19).
According to police, the action followed cyber intelligence inputs and analysis of cybercrime data related to illegal call centres involved in online fraud. Investigations revealed that the group targeted unemployed youth and fresh graduates by posing as recruiters for well-known companies, including Amul, Amazon, Infosys, Flipkart, Mankind Pharma, Suzuki, Parle, and Cipla.
Verification of the seized mobile numbers and IMEI details through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal revealed more than 60 complaints linked to the operation, involving fraud amounting to several lakhs of rupees.
ADCP Crime Kiran Yadav said, “The accused used the purchased databases to contact candidates through callers employed at the call centre. Once a candidate expressed interest in securing a job, the call was transferred to senior operators who posed as recruitment executives. The fraudsters allegedly lured victims by offering high-paying jobs in reputed multinational and domestic companies. To gain credibility, they sent forged appointment letters, approval letters and registration documents through WhatsApp.”
Victims were reportedly asked to transfer money under various pretexts, including registration fees and verification charges. Police are currently contacting complainants to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify additional victims.
Authorities have advised citizens to remain cautious while applying for jobs online and to immediately report cyber fraud through the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in.
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