Bengaluru: In a major breakthrough, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru Police has arrested a father-daughter duo for allegedly cheating more than 40 job aspirants of over Rs 5.30 crore by promising government jobs in various Central and State government departments.
The accused have been identified as M.A. Mansoor Ahmed and his daughter Shamshad Begum M.M., both residents of Bengaluru. According to police, the duo projected themselves as influential individuals with close links to senior government officials and political leaders and used those claims to lure unemployed youth seeking secure government employment.
Investigators revealed that the accused promised jobs in prestigious departments such as the Railways, Income Tax Department, Irrigation Department, Health Department and Social Welfare Department. To make their claims appear genuine, they allegedly issued fake appointment orders and even established bogus training centres in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Police said the elaborate network was designed to convince candidates that the recruitment process was authentic. Several victims reportedly underwent training sessions and believed they had been legitimately selected for government positions.
The case came to light following a complaint filed on November 17, 2025, by a resident of Vijayapura district. Based on the complaint, CCB officials launched a detailed investigation and eventually arrested the accused on June 4.
According to investigators, the complainant was introduced to the accused through a railway employee named Mahesh, who is also under the scanner. Through similar references, dozens of job seekers came into contact with the accused and paid large sums of money in the hope of securing government employment.
Police estimates suggest that between 40 and 45 candidates may have fallen victim to the fraud. Each candidate allegedly paid amounts ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Preliminary findings indicate that most of the transactions were carried out online between 2023 and 2025.
In a bid to avoid suspicion and maintain credibility, the accused reportedly adopted an unusual strategy. Police said some candidates were even paid salaries for up to four months despite not holding genuine government jobs. This tactic helped the accused gain the trust of victims and attract more aspirants into the scheme.
The fraud began to unravel when several candidates attempted to verify their appointment orders and discovered that the documents were fake. As doubts grew, a group of victims approached the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and lodged formal complaints.
Subsequent investigations confirmed that the appointment letters had been forged using the names of various government departments. Officials also found evidence indicating that the accused had systematically collected money by falsely promising recruitment opportunities.
CCB officers have stated that the total amount involved in the scam exceeds Rs 5.30 crore. Investigators are now examining bank records, digital transactions and communication data to identify additional victims and determine whether other individuals were involved in the racket.
The role of Mahesh, who allegedly introduced several candidates to the accused, is also being investigated. Police are trying to ascertain whether he was an active participant in the fraud or merely acted as an intermediary.
The case has once again highlighted the growing menace of employment-related fraud targeting unemployed youth. Police have urged job seekers to verify recruitment notifications through official government channels and avoid making payments to private individuals claiming to offer government jobs.
Authorities believe more victims may come forward as the investigation progresses. The accused are currently in police custody, and further questioning is expected to reveal the full extent of the operation.
CCB officials said efforts are underway to trace the money trail and recover the defrauded amount. Additional arrests are not being ruled out as the investigation continues.
