Mumbai police bust fake railway job racket; four duped of Rs 22.45 lakh

Believing the job offer was genuine, three former colleagues of the complainant allegedly paid Rs 6.50 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 6.72 lakh, respectively, to the accused. Representation pic/istock

Matunga police have booked two Patna-based men for allegedly cheating four Mumbai residents of Rs 22.45 lakh in a fake Indian Railways recruitment racket. The victims were issued forged appointment letters, railway ID cards and other documents, and were even made to undergo "training".

False promise

The complainant, a 49-year-old Matunga-based caterer, was approached in 2021 with promises of a Group D job - covering roles such as track maintainer, helper, pointsman, porter and hospital attendant - without examination, and was told to arrange Rs 6.23 lakh. Between October 2021 and November 2022, he transferred the amount in instalments to bank accounts provided by the accused and also paid cash.

More victims

Trusting the offer, he informed three former colleagues, who paid varying amounts. When promised postings failed to materialise, and the accused became unreachable, the victims approached the police on February 27, 2026.

Key details

Total cheated: Rs 22.45 lakh
Victims: Four Mumbai residents
Period: Oct 2021-Nov 2022

How the scam worked

>> Promise of Group D railway jobs without any examination
>> Forged appointment letters and railway identity cards were issued
>> Three months of sham "training" was conducted
>> R11,000 per month paid during training to appear genuine
>> Fake posting email to CBD Belapur sent
>> No official joining letter provided

Payments

Complainant: Rs 6.23 lakh
Others: Rs 6.50 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, Rs 6.72 lakh

What is a Group D job?

>> Entry-level Level 1 posts
>> Recruitment only via exams through the Railway Recruitment Boards
>> No direct appointments without examination