The Crime Investigation Department (CID), Assam, has arrested seven individuals in connection with an alleged fake government job racket targeting aspirants for employment in the State’s Water Resources Department. The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into an organised network that allegedly duped job seekers by issuing forged appointment letters and fake recruitment notices.

This development underscores the persistent challenge of recruitment fraud in Assam, impacting numerous unemployed youth who seek legitimate government employment. The racket reportedly induced victims to pay amounts ranging from thousands to several lakhs of rupees with promises of securing coveted government positions, highlighting the financial and emotional toll on aspirants.

What was announced

CID Assam announced the arrest of seven individuals involved in a large-scale fake government job racket. The latest arrest occurred on June 27, when Gunamoni Baishya was apprehended from Nalbari district, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to seven, according to CID Assam.

The accused allegedly operated an organised network, issuing forged appointment letters, fabricating government seals, and distributing fake recruitment notices in the name of the Water Resources Department. CID Assam registered a case at the CID Police Station as Case No. 04/25 under Sections 61(2), 318(4), 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

In response to the scam, CID Assam has issued a public advisory, urging citizens to verify the authenticity of all government recruitment notifications through official channels. The department also cautioned against making any payments in exchange for promises of government employment.

Why it matters

This crackdown by the CID is crucial for maintaining the integrity of government recruitment processes and protecting vulnerable job seekers from fraudulent schemes. The alleged scam targeted unemployed youths, exploiting their desperation for stable employment and causing significant financial losses. Victims reportedly paid amounts ranging from thousands to several lakhs of rupees for jobs that never materialised.

The use of forged documents, fabricated government seals, and fake recruitment notices undermines public trust in state institutions. Such incidents erode confidence in the fairness and transparency of the hiring system, which is particularly damaging in a state where government jobs are highly sought after.

The case registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, signifies the application of India’s new criminal code, which came into force on July 1, 2024. Section 61(2) of the BNS deals with criminal conspiracy, outlining the responsibilities and roles of individuals involved in such plots. Section 318(4) addresses cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, while Section 336(3) pertains to forgery for the purpose of cheating. Section 340(2) covers using a forged document as genuine. These sections carry stringent penalties, reflecting the seriousness with which such offences are viewed under the new legal framework.

Background

Assam has a history of battling significant recruitment scams, with several high-profile cases emerging over the past decade. These incidents have repeatedly exposed organised networks attempting to subvert government hiring processes. One of the most prominent was the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) ‘cash-for-job’ scam, which came to light in 2016. This scandal implicated nearly 70 individuals, including the then-chairman of APSC, Rakesh Kumar Paul, and more than 50 civil and police service officials.

The APSC scam involved manipulated examinations, forged answer sheets, and inflated marks, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police probing the matter. In December 2023, the Assam government suspended 15 state civil and police service officers for their alleged involvement in this scam, with 11 from the Assam Police Service (APS) and four from the Assam Civil Service (ACS).

More recently, in March 2026, a major job scam involving an alleged embezzlement of nearly Rs 20 crore in the name of providing employment in the Water Resources Department itself surfaced, with the prime accused, Dilsat from Sivasagar, taken into CID custody. He allegedly collected money from at least 67 individuals across multiple districts, promising third-grade government jobs and issuing fake appointment letters.

Other scams have also plagued the state. In December 2025, the CID launched a statewide crackdown on a fake degree scam involving forged educational certificates used to secure government teaching jobs, with investigations into 15 to 25 cases and at least 50 candidates suspected of submitting fake documents.

Just last month, in May 2026, 33 unemployed Assamese youths allegedly fell victim to a fake job recruitment scam linked to a fraudulent offer made in the name of electronics giant LG. The youths were duped of Rs 6,000 each after being promised jobs and asked to report in Delhi.

Furthermore, in June 2026, a massive fake certificate recruitment scam was exposed in Jorhat, where candidates from outside Assam allegedly used forged Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs), Caste Certificates, and Income Certificates to secure Central Government jobs under Assam’s quota. This scam impacted organisations like the CRPF, Assam Rifles, and CISF.

These recurring incidents highlight a persistent vulnerability in recruitment systems and the urgent need for robust verification mechanisms and public awareness campaigns to combat such fraudulent activities.

Key details

The alleged racket specifically targeted job aspirants for the Water Resources Department. The individuals arrested are believed to be part of an organised network. Their modus operandi involved creating and distributing counterfeit documents, including appointment letters, official seals, and recruitment advertisements, to convince job seekers of legitimate employment opportunities.

The victims were allegedly coerced into paying substantial sums of money, ranging from “thousands to several lakhs of rupees,” for these fabricated job offers. The CID investigation is continuing to identify other members of this network and to determine the full scale of the fraud.

The case is being investigated under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860, on July 1, 2024. The sections invoked are:

  • Section 61(2) BNS, 2023: Criminal Conspiracy. This section details the responsibilities and roles of parties involved in a criminal conspiracy, with penalties based on the seriousness of the conspired offence.
  • Section 318(4) BNS, 2023: Cheating and Dishonestly Inducing Delivery of Property. This section is equivalent to the erstwhile IPC Section 420 and applies when property is obtained through deception.
  • Section 336(3) BNS, 2023: Forgery for Purpose of Cheating. This section applies when forgery is committed specifically with the intent to cheat someone.
  • Section 340(2) BNS, 2023: Using as Genuine a Forged Document or Electronic Record. This section addresses the act of using a document known to be forged as if it were authentic.

What’s next

The CID investigation is ongoing, with officials working to identify additional members of the alleged racket and ascertain the full extent of the fraud. Further arrests are possible as the probe continues. The arrested individuals will face legal proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The public advisory issued by CID Assam remains in effect, urging job aspirants to exercise caution and verify all recruitment notifications through official government channels to avoid falling victim to similar scams. Authorities are expected to continue their efforts to dismantle such fraudulent networks and safeguard the interests of job seekers across the state.

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