Delhi Police has arrested three accused individuals in connection with a fraudulent recruitment operation that falsely promised jobs in the Income Tax Department. The scam, which operated out of a rented office in central Delhi, was dismantled after authorities received multiple complaints from individuals who had paid substantial amounts of money under the belief that they would be selected for permanent positions in the tax department.
According to police sources, the accused had created elaborate fake brochures, ID cards, and appointment letters bearing logos and letterheads closely mimicking those of the Income Tax Department. They had set up a recruiting front where prospective candidates were told they could secure government positions through special entries, bypassing the official competitive examination and selection process conducted by the Staff Selection Commission and the department itself.
The accused allegedly lured candidates through social media advertisements, word-of-mouth referrals, and flyers distributed in busy market areas across the national capital. Potential victims were asked to pay between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh depending on the position they claimed to secure, with amounts ranging from entry-level clerk posts to supervisory roles. Many of the complainants were from economically weaker sections of society who saw these offers as a rare opportunity for stable employment.
Investigations revealed that the ring had been operational for nearly two years, collecting money from over 40 individuals across Delhi and neighbouring states including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. When victims began approaching the actual Income Tax Department offices seeking clarification about their appointments, discrepancies emerged, prompting several of them to file complaints with the Delhi Police Cyber Crime division.
A joint team comprising officers from the Cyber Crime Cell and the Economic Offences Wing conducted a coordinated raid on the suspected den in Rajouri Garden area on Tuesday morning. During the operation, the trio was apprehended while attempting to destroy incriminating documents. Police recovered laptops, mobile phones, fake stamps, blank appointment letters, and cash amounting to several lakhs from the premises.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Rakesh Kumar, Vikas Sharma, and Sunil Mehta, all residents of West Delhi. Their statements are being recorded, and further details about their criminal antecedents and potential accomplices are expected to surface during interrogation. Police confirmed that more arrests may follow as the investigation expands into possible involvement of intermediaries who helped recruit candidates.
The Income Tax Department has issued a public advisory reminding citizens that all recruitment for its offices is conducted strictly through transparent, published notifications on the official government portal, with no provision for direct or quota-based appointments.
