Hinjewadi IT Firm Owner Arrested in ₹28 Lakh Job Scam, Hundreds of Aspirants Cheated

Scam in Pune’s Hinjewadi IT Hub

Hinjewadi, also called Hinjawadi, is known as the biggest IT hub of Pune. Thousands of fresh graduates and experienced professionals come here every year hoping to build their careers in software companies. But recently, the area has been in the news for the wrong reasons.

An IT firm owner was arrested by Hinjawadi police for running a fake placement scam. The accused, identified as Upesh Ranjit Patil, set up a company in Phase 2 of the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park. He allegedly promised high-paying jobs to young candidates but instead collected lakhs of rupees from them as placement and training fees.

According to police, Patil charged ₹1 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh from each aspirant, handed them appointment letters, and even showed salary slips to gain trust. But in reality, no jobs existed. The total fraud amount reported so far is ₹28 lakh, though investigators believe that more than 300 job seekers may have been cheated.

How the Scam Worked

The case shows how easily fresh graduates, desperate for jobs, can fall into such traps. Patil set up his company under the name Flynot SaaS Pvt Ltd, presenting it as an IT consultancy. Along with his wife Poonam Patil, who is listed as a director, he started recruiting candidates under the pretext of offering guaranteed jobs.

The scam followed a pattern:

Step	What Candidates Were Told	What Actually Happened
1	Pay ₹1–3 lakh for “special training”	Fees collected, no genuine training provided
2	Two months of training with stipend of ₹15,000 per month	Only some sessions were held, stipend was irregular
3	Job confirmation with annual salary of ₹3–4 lakh	Fake appointment and salary letters were given
4	Work on company projects	Many worked but never received salaries
5	Future growth and promotions	Company office often remained closed

This entire process was built to make the scam look real. Candidates trusted the company because of training sessions, offer letters, and even salary slips. But soon, the office stopped paying salaries, and eventually, the doors were shut most of the time.

Complaints and Police Action

The victims finally approached the Forum for IT Employees (FITE), an employee rights group. FITE supported the job seekers in filing complaints at the Hinjawadi Police Station. Senior Inspector Balaji Pandhare confirmed that Patil was arrested and a case has been registered under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

While 11 victims have formally filed cases so far, police believe that the number of cheated candidates may cross 300. The total money involved could be much higher than the ₹28 lakh reported.

Police also stated that Poonam Patil, wife of the main accused and co-director of the company, is under investigation. She has not been arrested yet, and a search is on to trace her role in the scam.

Impact on Job Seekers in Hinjawadi

This incident has shaken the confidence of many young people who look at Hinjawadi as a land of opportunity. With rising unemployment, many fresh graduates are under pressure to grab any chance they get. For them, a promise of a sure job after paying fees looks tempting, but scams like this turn their dreams into disappointment.

Some candidates reported that they even worked for the company for months without any salary. In one case, when employees questioned HR about delayed payments, the company allegedly called the police on its own staff. Such behavior made it clear that the company never intended to provide genuine employment.

Role of FITE and Workers’ Rights

The Forum for IT Employees (FITE) played an important role in bringing the scam to light. They not only helped victims approach police but also raised the issue with the Labour Commissioner.

FITE highlighted that non-payment of salary is not just a labour dispute but a criminal offence of cheating. The group has been urging authorities to keep strict watch on IT companies operating in Hinjawadi and across Pune.

Lessons for Job Seekers

Scams like these serve as a warning for job aspirants in Hinjawadi. Here are some important takeaways:

What to Watch Out For

• Avoid paid placements: Genuine companies do not ask for lakhs of rupees before giving jobs.
• Check company background: Always research company reviews, registration details, and financial status before joining.
• Look for red flags: If a company office is frequently closed, delays salary, or avoids giving proper information, be cautious.
• Document everything: Keep copies of offer letters, receipts, and salary slips as evidence in case of fraud.

Police and Government Response

The Hinjawadi police have asked other victims of this scam to come forward. Senior Inspector Pandhare stated, “More than 400 people may have been cheated. Their dreams were broken. We arrested the accused immediately after receiving complaints, and investigation is ongoing.”

Authorities are also looking into how such companies manage to register and operate in prime IT hubs like Hinjawadi without being noticed earlier. Labour officials have been asked to tighten checks on firms offering suspicious placement or training programs.

Why Hinjawadi is Often Targeted

Hinjewadi, being the largest IT park in Pune with more than 250 companies, attracts thousands of fresh graduates every year. Many come from smaller towns with limited industry exposure. This makes them easy targets for fraudsters who promise fast-track jobs.

Also, with rising competition and fewer entry-level openings, job seekers often fall into the trap of “pay-first, job-later” schemes. Experts believe that stronger laws, strict monitoring, and awareness programs are needed to prevent such scams in the future.

Similar Incidents in Hinjawadi

This is not the first time Hinjewadi has seen such fraud. In recent years, there have been several reports of fake consultancies promising jobs in big IT firms. Many of them shut down after taking money, leaving candidates helpless.

The latest case involving Flynot SaaS Pvt Ltd has once again shown the urgent need for better regulation in the IT recruitment sector.

FAQ

1. What happened in the Hinjawadi job scam case?

An IT firm owner, Upesh Ranjit Patil, was arrested for cheating job seekers by promising them software jobs in exchange for lakhs of rupees as placement and training fees.

2. How much money was involved in the scam?

So far, the reported fraud is around ₹28 lakh. But police believe more than 300 people may have been cheated, so the total amount could be much higher.

3. Was anyone else involved in the scam?

Yes, the accused’s wife and company director, Poonam Patil, is also under investigation. Police are searching for her.

4. What should job seekers in Hinjawadi keep in mind?

Never pay large sums of money for placement. Always verify the company background before joining.

5. How are authorities handling the case?

Hinjawadi police have registered a case under cheating sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and are encouraging more victims to come forward.

The Hinjawadi job scam highlights the darker side of Pune’s IT hub. While Hinjewadi and Hinjawadi continue to attract thousands of young job seekers with dreams of a bright career, scams like these show why awareness is important.

Authorities, companies, and job seekers must work together to ensure such frauds do not repeat. Hinjawadi is a place of opportunities, but staying alert and informed is the only way to protect one’s career and savings.

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