JALANDHAR – In a major crackdown on organized crime, the Sadar Police have dismantled an interstate recruitment racket following the arrest of a woman accused of orchestrating a sophisticated job-for-cash scheme. The accused, identified as Pooja Thakur, allegedly swindled over 200 victims out of lakhs of rupees by masquerading as a high-ranking government official with deep ties to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Modus Operandi
Operating from a luxury residence in the AGI flats at Jalandhar Heights, Thakur allegedly cultivated an air of legitimacy to deceive her victims. According to police reports, she would frequent the residential complex’s park, striking up casual conversations to gain the confidence of fellow residents.
Thakur presented herself as a highly educated professional, claiming to hold a PhD in Mathematics and a powerful position within government administration. Once trust was established, she offered to facilitate government placements for various roles, including medical doctors, police inspectors, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), and nurses.
Financial Extortion and Forgery
The investigation, led by SHO Sanjeev Suri of the Sadar Police Station, revealed a structured extortion model. Thakur reportedly charged between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹3 lakh per candidate, depending on the position.
The gravity of the operation was highlighted by a complaint filed by Dr. Manmahak, a resident of the same housing complex, who alleged she had been defrauded of ₹18 lakh. During the arrest, police seized critical evidence, including:
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20 forged appointment letters
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Fabricated government identity cards
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Digital equipment, including a laptop and mobile phone
Interstate Network Under Scrutiny
While the primary suspect is now in custody, authorities believe this is merely one node of a much larger, coordinated criminal enterprise. Police sources indicate that the operation’s mastermind functions from Delhi, utilizing “riders” to travel between cities to collect illicit payments from the recruited victims.
“We are currently investigating the interstate links of this racket,” said a police spokesperson. “The accused claimed that her operations were managed by a central office in Delhi, and we are working to apprehend the individuals coordinating this network.”
Judicial Proceedings
Following her arrest, Pooja Thakur was medically examined at the local Civil Hospital and subsequently produced before a magistrate. The court has granted the Sadar Police a three-day remand, allowing investigators further time to probe her communication logs and uncover the extent of the financial damage.
As the investigation widens, police have urged the public to remain vigilant against individuals promising “guaranteed” government positions outside of established, transparent recruitment channels.
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