In a significant crackdown, Patna Police have dismantled a sophisticated fake recruitment syndicate that was targeting job seekers aspiring for positions in the Patna Metro Rail Corporation. The operation led to the arrest of three individuals, including the alleged mastermind behind the two-year-long fraud.
The Elaborate Digital Deception
According to senior police officials, the gang operated a completely fraudulent website designed to mimic an official Patna Metro portal. For nearly two years, they ran aggressive social media campaigns, ensuring their advertisements appeared at the top of search results for terms like 'Patna Metro Jobs'. This digital strategy successfully lured candidates from across Bihar.
The modus operandi involved charging an initial online registration fee of approximately Rs 1,200. Police estimates suggest over 2,000 candidates applied through this sham portal, with around 700 being shortlisted for further rounds. The racket then conducted fake written examinations in July 2025 in Patna, followed by staged interviews.
The 'Second Chance' Trap & Financial Loss
Abhinav Kumar, ASP Sadar (Patna), detailed the gang's manipulative tactics. "Out of the 700 shortlisted, about 80 candidates were deliberately failed," he explained. These individuals were then offered a 'second chance' through paid training courses for roles such as data operator, electrician, or fitter.
The training fees were exorbitant, ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. Victims who paid the amount would arrive at designated locations for training or promised job postings, only to find the premises empty. This was the moment they realized they had been cheated. While confirmed fraud amounts stand at around Rs 8 lakh, ongoing investigations indicate the total sum swindled could be significantly higher.
How the Racket Was Exposed
The scam began to unravel after multiple victims filed formal complaints. The first was lodged at the Ramakrishna Nagar police station on December 18, followed by another at the Jakkanpur police station on December 28. Acting on a specific tip-off, a team from Jakkanpur police verified the information and conducted a raid.
They caught two suspects red-handed while they were conducting fake interviews at a location on Meethapur, Bypass Road. Subsequent interrogation led to revelations about the fake website and the network's operations, culminating in the arrest of the mastermind.
The Accused and Ongoing Probe
The police have identified the arrested individuals:
- Navneet Kumar, the alleged mastermind from Saharsa district. He previously ran a computer center and is considered the main operator. He has been remanded to police custody for further questioning.
- Akhilesh Kumar Chaudhary, a resident of Supaul district.
- Dinesh Kumar Sao from Nawada district.
Chaudhary and Sao are accused of actively assisting in conducting the bogus interviews. The police are delving deeper into the racket's financial trail and digital footprint to identify all victims and recover the defrauded money.
This case serves as a stark warning for job seekers, especially those looking for government and public sector employment. Authorities advise candidates to only rely on official websites and verified recruitment channels and to thoroughly cross-check any unsolicited job offers or demands for large training fees.
