With the Tata Semiconductor project set to be established at Jagiroad in Assam, fraudsters began exploiting the buzz around the multi-crore venture to cheat unemployed youths with fake job offers. Acting swiftly, Morigaon police arrested several individuals involved in the scam, while a court ordered the attachment of bank accounts belonging to one of the key accused.
Police identified Saiqul Islam, a lecturer at Hatichong College in Nagaon, as one of the prime accused. Along with his associates, Islam allegedly spread false information on social media claiming they could provide jobs at the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited project. The gang organised fake training sessions, issued forged provisional appointment letters, and collected Rs5,000 from each candidate.
Investigators revealed that the accused even printed fake Tata Group letterheads to make the scam appear authentic. According to police records, around 200 youths were duped through the fraudulent scheme.
Following a detailed probe, police arrested three accused and discovered ₹24.95 lakh deposited across two bank accounts held by Saiqul Islam in ICICI Bank and State Bank of India. Invoking Clause 107 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Morigaon ordered the attachment of Islam’s bank accounts on January 3.
The case came to light after Tata Semiconductor officials lodged a complaint on October 10 last year, alerting police to a fake recruitment advertisement circulating online. The fraudulent notice included a nine-page PDF designed to resemble an official recruitment document and even contained a web link. The fabrication was so convincing that some media outlets mistakenly reported that recruitment for the project had begun.
During the investigation, police also arrested Abdul Samim of Golaghat in November. Authorities found that he collected money from victims through bank accounts in Kolkata, indicating the scam had inter-state links.
Police said further investigation is ongoing to identify additional victims and uncover the full network behind the operation.
