Noida Police Foils Expansion of Major Fake Job Racket, Four Key Operatives Arrested
In a significant crackdown on organized cyber fraud, the Noida police have arrested four individuals who were allegedly operating a sophisticated fake employment racket targeting job seekers across India with promises of lucrative cruise ship positions. The arrests came just as the gang was preparing to flee Noida and establish a second fraudulent call centre in Aligarh, marking a crucial intervention by law enforcement.
Details of the Arrest and the Accused
The four arrested individuals have been identified as Rahul from Jalaun, Prashant from Aligarh, Vishal Sharma from Jewar, and Saif Warish from Kanpur Nagar. They were taken into custody on Wednesday, effectively halting their planned expansion. Police investigations reveal that two of their accomplices, Faiz and Shahil (also known as Sachin), remain at large. Special police teams have been deployed to track down these fugitives.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudulent Operation
The gang operated a call centre located in Noida's Sector 132, where they posed as legitimate recruiters for international cruise ship companies. Their elaborate scheme involved:
- Creating a Facebook page in September 2025 that advertised job opportunities on cruise ships, cargo vessels, and engine ships.
- Luring victims with promises of high-salaried overseas employment and comprehensive maritime training.
- Charging each candidate approximately Rs 1.2 lakh for registration, training, and placement fees.
- After receiving payment, either ceasing all communication or demanding additional fees to process applications further.
Victims were initially contacted through social media groups or direct calling options, then invited to the Noida office for counselling sessions where they were given false assurances of job placement.
Scale of the Fraud and Police Investigation
Police estimates indicate that this racket has cheated over 500 job seekers from states including Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and others over the past year. The total fraudulent proceeds are believed to be around Rs 3 crore, which the accused routed through multiple bank accounts to obscure the money trail.
The investigation began after two complaints were registered against the bank accounts linked to this fraud on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Further scrutiny revealed the gang's systematic approach to data collection and victim targeting.
Internal Structure and Roles Within the Gang
According to police statements, Saif Warish and his brother Faiz played crucial roles in the operation. They were primarily responsible for collecting data on potential job seekers and distributing contact lists of approximately 80 targets each to other callers in the network. This organized structure enabled them to efficiently scale their fraudulent activities across multiple regions.
The timely arrest has prevented what could have been an expanded operation in Aligarh, potentially victimizing hundreds more desperate job seekers. The case highlights the growing sophistication of online employment scams and the importance of vigilant cybercrime monitoring.
