Fake Job Offers Rock Pune’s IT Sector; Labour Department Begins Survey of Consultancy Firms
Pune, 6th June 2026: The Ministry of Labour has initiated a major crackdown on alleged job scams in the Information Technology (IT) sector, where manpower consultancy firms are accused of luring young engineers with fake job offers and fraudulent employment promises. Thousands of engineering graduates are believed to have been cheated in recent years. As part of the drive, authorities have begun surveying manpower consultancy firms across Pune district, and strict action is expected against those found operating without proper registration or authorization.
Meanwhile, the Forum for IT Employees has demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged large-scale employment fraud in the IT sector.
Thousands of Engineers Allegedly Duped
Over the past year, at least seven IT manpower consultancy firms in Pune have allegedly cheated thousands of young engineers by promising jobs that either did not exist or never materialized. The incidents have reportedly left many candidates facing financial losses and uncertainty about their careers.
In response, the office of the Labour Commissioner has launched a district-wide survey to identify unregistered and unauthorized manpower consultancy firms and initiate appropriate legal action against them.
Demand for SIT Investigation
The Forum for IT Employees has claimed that employment-related fraud in Pune’s IT sector is widespread and warrants a dedicated investigation. The organization has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Labour Minister Akash Fundkar, IT Minister Ashish Shelar, and Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, seeking the formation of an SIT.
According to the organization’s representation, several fake IT companies have emerged in recent years, and some manpower consultancy firms are allegedly working in collusion with them to defraud job seekers.
Companies Named by the Forum
The Forum for IT Employees has identified the following companies and estimated numbers of alleged victims:
* Flynaut SaaS – Approximately 1,000 victims
* Accur Tech – Approximately 300 victims
* ThynkTech – Approximately 600 victims
* QuantumSoft – Approximately 700 victims
* Radiant Technologies – Approximately 1,000 victims
* GT Asterix – Approximately 300 victims
* Kavya Tech – Approximately 200 victims
Labour Minister Orders Survey
Following a review meeting on the issue, Labour Minister Akash Fundkar directed officials to conduct a comprehensive survey of manpower consultancy firms operating across Pune district.
Deputy Labour Commissioner Nikhil Walke said authorities are verifying whether these firms are registered under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act. Firms found operating without valid registration or authorization will face legal action, he said.
Over 10,000 Job Seekers May Have Been Affected
According to Pawanjit Mane, President of the Forum for IT Employees, between 20 and 30 fraudulent companies may be operating across Maharashtra, potentially affecting more than 10,000 job seekers.
Mane urged the government to establish a Special Investigation Team to conduct a thorough probe, recover money allegedly lost by victims, and introduce stronger safeguards to prevent similar frauds in the future.
“The government should ensure that affected candidates recover their money and take concrete steps to prevent such scams from recurring,” Mane said.
The allegations against the companies mentioned by the Forum for IT Employees have not been independently verified. No findings of wrongdoing have yet been established by a court or investigative agency.
