Delhi Uncovers Major Fake Job Scam

**Delhi Police Uncovers Major Fake Job Recruitment Scam; Two Arrested, Including Alleged Ringleader** Delhi Police have dismantled a sophisticated fake job recruitment syndicate, arresting two men, including the alleged ringleader, officials announced on Monday. Rashid Choudhury, reportedly from Hyderabad, is accused of orchestrating a cyber scam under the guise of the "National Rural Development and Recreation Mission (NRDRM)," falsely portraying it as a legitimate government entity under the Ministry of Rural Development. The fraudulent operation came to light after the Ministry of Rural Development filed a complaint on March 22. The ministry reported fake recruitment ads on two lookalike websites that featured images of Union ministers and top officials to mislead job seekers. The scam allegedly involved soliciting registration fees between Rs 299 and Rs 399 from unsuspecting applicants, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla. An FIR was immediately filed, and an in-depth investigation was launched. Investigators traced a QR code from the fake websites to a bank account in Assam. Funds were funneled through numerous mule accounts before being withdrawn from ATMs. Extensive analysis of over a hundred CCTV recordings led police to the Laxmi Nagar area in east Delhi, where surveillance corroborated the suspects' locations. On May 18, a raid resulted in the arrest of Ikbal Hussain, 27, from Assam, who admitted to withdrawing cash for the gang. His confessions led police to Rashid Choudhury, who was apprehended at a separate location in the same area. The DCP described Choudhury as a seasoned cybercriminal and the operation's mastermind, managing a network that included web developers, account handlers, and SIM procurers. Police seized 11 mobile phones, 15 SIM cards, 21 cheque books, 15 debit cards, a POS machine, four counterfeit stamps, and five Wi-Fi dongles. Additionally, six fraudulent websites tied to the scam were identified. The confiscated devices and banking documents are now under analysis with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The investigation continues to uncover more victims and associates linked to this extensive nationwide fraud.