Fake Government Job Racket Busted in Mumbai; Man Arrested for Cheating Job Seekers of ₹42.5 Lakh

The Dahisar Police have arrested a man for allegedly duping several people by falsely claiming connections with senior politicians, ministers, and officials in the Mantralaya, and promising them government jobs.

The accused has been identified as Tushar Sanjay Kadam, who, according to police investigations, cheated multiple victims by offering jobs in departments such as the Fire Brigade, Municipal Corporation, and Railways. He allegedly collected a total of ₹42.5 lakh from job aspirants but failed to secure employment for any of them. Instead, he issued fake appointment letters, an officer said.

Complainant Deepak Yadav, a Dahisar resident currently working in the Philippines, knew Kadam personally. Around four years ago, the two met at a hotel in Dahisar, where Kadam claimed he worked in the Mantralaya and had close ties with influential political leaders and senior officials.

In 2023, when recruitment for the Fire Brigade was announced, Kadam told Yadav he could help secure permanent jobs. He demanded ₹4 lakh upfront and another ₹4 lakh after the job confirmation. Yadav agreed and transferred ₹4 lakh to Kadam’s bank account for his relative’s job.

Subsequently, Yadav introduced Kadam to a friend, whom Kadam promised a Junior Engineer’s post in the Municipal Corporation. For this, he allegedly took ₹16 lakh online and ₹8 lakh in cash.

Kadam further lured them into bringing more candidates, claiming he could also arrange jobs in the Railways. He promised a Ticket Collector (TC) position to Yadav’s relative and collected ₹2 lakh. He also took additional money from other acquaintances under similar promises.

Over the course of a year, Yadav and others paid Kadam for securing jobs for four individuals. However, when no one received employment, they began questioning him. Kadam then handed over a purported Fire Brigade appointment letter.

When the complainant approached the Dahisar Fire Brigade office with the letter, it was revealed to be fake, leaving them shocked. Upon confrontation, Kadam continued to demand more money, claiming the process was still underway.

Refusing to be misled further, Yadav filed a complaint at Dahisar Police Station. In his statement, he alleged that he and others had paid Kadam ₹42.5 lakh in phases for government jobs, none of which materialised.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust, along with charges related to issuing fake appointment letters.

After the FIR was lodged, Kadam absconded and kept changing locations to evade arrest. Police launched a special operation and tracked him down after nearly a month on the run. He was detained for questioning two days ago and later formally arrested.

During interrogation, Kadam confessed to cheating multiple people by falsely claiming links with Mantralaya officials and political leaders.

He was produced before court in Borivali, which remanded him to police custody. Further investigation is underway, police said.