Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has apprehended three suspects who were allegedly running a fraudulent recruitment scheme under the guise of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Income Tax Department. The operation, which resulted in the arrests, follows a complaint filed by victims who were lured with the promise of government jobs that never materialised.
According to police sources, the accused set up fake offices and circulated bogus advertisements claiming to offer positions such as Inspector, Group C, and Group D posts in the Income Tax Department. They collected substantial amounts of money from aspiring candidates across multiple states, assuring them of guaranteed selection through direct appointment without any official examination or interview process.
The suspects reportedly used forged letterheads bearing the Income Tax Department's seal and produced fake appointment letters that closely resembled genuine government documents. In several cases, they also claimed to have insider connections with senior officers in the CBDT, adding a veneer of credibility to their operations.
Police officials confirmed that the accused had been operating through online portals and social media platforms, targeting young job seekers particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are eager for stable government employment. Victims from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have come forward with complaints.
An investigation revealed that the scam operated for an extended period, with the suspects reportedly collecting lakhs of rupees from dozens of candidates. Several victims who paid the demanded fees later discovered that no recruitment notification had ever been issued by the Income Tax Department or the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), which is the sole authority responsible for such recruitments.
The EOW has registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Authorities are tracing the financial transactions linked to the scam and encouraging other victims to come forward with their complaints. Officials have repeatedly warned the public that the Income Tax Department never conducts recruitments through third-party agents or intermediaries.
The arrest has been welcomed by victim advocacy groups, who said the case highlights the growing sophistication of fake recruitment scams that exploit the desperation of unemployed youth.
