Pune IT Job Scam Expands: Over 4,000 Complaints Surface As Freshers Lose Lakhs

Multiple cases registered against IT firms and placement agencies in Pune after hundreds of job seekers allegedly paid money for jobs, internships and training that never delivered the promised careers.

A growing employment scam involving IT companies and placement agencies has come under the scanner in Pune. Police investigations reveal a pattern in which job seekers were allegedly lured with promises of high-paying technology jobs. Later, the individuals were left without salaries, placements or refunds.

The latest case emerged from Pune’s Kharadi area. The police has  registered a case against the management of Radiant Edtech LLP and Radiant IT Services. Authorities have arrested two individuals after allegations. All the candidates were asked to pay substantial amounts in exchange for assured placements and attractive salary packages.

The issue appears far bigger than a single company. The Forum for IT Employees and Freshers (FITE) claims it has received more than 4,000 complaints in the last three months from job seekers and employees who reported similar experiences across Pune’s IT sector.

One of the victims, 26-year-old software engineer Madhav Kumar from Nagpur, said he paid ₹3.5 lakh to a placement agency after being promised a software job with an annual package of ₹10 lakh. Kumar joined Pune-based QuantumSoft Technologies in July 2025 after borrowing money from his farming family in Bhandara.

However, after initially receiving salaries, payments were reportedly delayed for months before the company eventually ceased operations in February 2026.

“Not only am I debt-ridden now, but after getting a good job my family fixed a marital alliance for me, which now stands postponed,” Kumar informed.

Police investigations later found that at least 76 job aspirants were allegedly cheated of around ₹1.52 crore by the company. A case was registered against the firm’s CEO, who was subsequently arrested.

Authorities say the alleged fraud model often involved collecting money from candidates in the name of training, placement assistance, laptop charges or internship programmes before failing to provide promised employment benefits.

Several companies have faced similar allegations over the past year. Cases have been registered against firms including QuantumSoft Technologies, ThynkTech India, Flynaut SaaS, Accrue Tech, Radiant Technology, Gtasterix and Kavya Tech.

In another case, Kolhapur resident Abhishek Gule said he paid ₹1.5 lakh to a placement company before joining a Pune-based firm in 2024. According to him, he was removed from the job within three months and his dues were not cleared.

“More than 10 people faced similar circumstances – all of them compelled to leave without their dues being cleared,” Gule alleged.

Investigators, who are examining the ThynkTech India case said preliminary findings suggest interns were allegedly asked to pay ₹15,000 each for laptops. They were also promised monthly stipends after an unpaid internship period. However, several recruits reportedly did not receive salaries for months.

Police have arrested multiple accused across different cases. Police incharged said that, investigations are continuing to trace financial transactions. They are trying to identify the full extent of the alleged network and companies and placement agencies involved.

Officials have urged job seekers to verify the credentials of recruitment agencies and employers before making any payments, while affected candidates have been encouraged to approach the police with complaints.

The series of cases has raised concerns about employment fraud targeting fresh engineering graduates and young professionals, those who are seeking opportunities in Pune’s technology sector, one of India’s largest IT hubs.