Fake Firms Siphon Rs 90 Crore via Identity Fraud of Jobless Etah Youths
Fake Firms Float Rs 90 Crore in Transactions Under Identities of Jobless Etah Youths Personal identification documents and one-time passwords obtained from eight unemployed individuals from Etah under false pretenses of securing entry-level employment were allegedly exploited to establish fictitious business entities.
The Scheme Unveiled
The scheme surfaced when the Income Tax Department initiated scrutiny of high-value financial activities between 2024 and 2026, issuing tax demand notices exceeding Rs 13 lakh to at least three of the affected individuals. The victims, who had traveled to Delhi and Gurugram seeking low-income roles such as security guards, supervisors, and laborers, claimed no knowledge of the businesses tied to their identities.
Victims and Their Stories
Ankaj Kumar, a resident of Nagla Sundar who relocated to Gurugram in 2024 for work, discovered his credentials had been used to register a liquor and tobacco trading firm in Motibagh, South West Delhi. The entity reported sales of approximately Rs 2.81 crore, prompting an income tax demand of over Rs 13.55 lakh against his name.
Ranjit, a police service aspirant from Nagla Rupdhani, found his documents misused to establish a contractor firm. His name was linked to a business that generated Rs 12.83 crore in transactions, including dealings with Lala Dhaniram Ramesh Kumar & Co.
A business associated with Sukhveer Singh from Dinesh Nagar recorded dealings of Rs 12.83 crore, while an entity linked to Varun Jain of Purani Basti handled over Rs 61.09 crore through Delhi-based Sugandha Enterprises.
Another firm tied to Atiraj Singh from Raja Ka Rampur saw operations totaling Rs 14.58 crore, involving entities in Delhi and Ghaziabad. Satendra Kumar, a resident of Manaura village, was connected to Rs 1.10 crore in transactions with Baba Metal Company.
The Investigation and Ongoing Efforts
Investigators are examining the roles of intermediaries and professionals in the scheme. Key focuses include identifying individuals who collected personal data, secured Goods and Services Tax (GST) registrations, and managed banking operations without the knowledge of the nominal business owners. The potential involvement of a local chartered accountant in facilitating registrations and bank account setups is under review.
An Income Tax Department officer confirmed eight active cases under investigation, with tax assessments pending final inquiry results. Affected individuals continue efforts to verify how their identities were compromised and clear their names with authorities.
Key Findings
Further scrutiny revealed additional cases where young job seekers’ permanent account numbers (PAN) were leveraged for extensive commercial activities. The fraud was uncovered through tax assessment processes.
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