Fake airline, real scam: How ‘Bretish Airways’ trapped Delhi airport jobseekers

New Delhi: It promised jobs at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, had its own website, “HR executives” calling applicants and even issued offer letters.

There was just one problem: “Bretish Airways” did not exist.

Delhi Police say they have busted a fake airline recruitment racket that allegedly used social media advertisements, fraudulent websites and women posing as HR executives to target jobseekers.

Six people, including the alleged mastermind, his associate, a website developer and three tele-callers, have been apprehended after investigators traced the operation to Noida.

Police said applicants were persuaded to pay Rs7,000 (about Dh270)-Rs10,000 each for supposedly mandatory aviation courses before they could take up jobs at Delhi airport.

Instagram ad leads to ‘HR’ call

The racket came to light after a jobseeker spotted a “Bretish Airways” advertisement on Instagram on June 10.

After submitting his details, he was contacted by a woman who introduced herself as “Karishma, HR Bretish Airways”.

She collected his PAN card, Aadhaar card, marksheets and CV through WhatsApp and told him he needed a diploma in Airport or Aviation Management from “Future Wings Learning Institute” to secure the job.

How scam worked

• THE BAIT: Instagram ads offered jobs at Delhi’s IGI Airport

• THE ‘HR’ CALL: Tele-callers posing as airline HR executives contacted jobseekers

• DOCUMENTS COLLECTED: Applicants were asked for Aadhaar, PAN, marksheets and CVs over WhatsApp

• THE CATCH: Candidates were told an aviation diploma or training course was compulsory for the job

• THE PAYMENT: Victims allegedly paid Rs7,000-Rs10,000 as admission or registration fees

• FAKE PAPERWORK: Admission slips, certificates, NOCs and job offer letters were allegedly issued to build trust

• VANISH AND REBRAND: Police say the accused changed websites, offices, SIM cards and phones — and launched new sites when complaints surfaced

• RED FLAGS FOR JOBSEEKERS: Airport job promised through a social-media ad

• Upfront payment demanded

• “Mandatory” course before joining

• Documents sought over WhatsApp

• Recruiter uses an unfamiliar airline name

• Pressure to transfer money quickly

The applicant transferred Rs7,000 through UPI and received what police say were a fake admission slip, no-objection certificate and job offer letter.

He became suspicious after failing to find any legitimate airline called “Bretish Airways”. The phone numbers used by the alleged fraudsters also stopped responding, prompting him to report the case.

Digital trail leads to Noida

Investigators examined phone and internet records, UPI and bank transactions, payment trails and website registration details.

Police apprehended alleged mastermind Sandeep Kumar, 23, and his associate Akhil Kumar, 27, on August 18. Further investigation led them to a website developer and three women allegedly working as tele-callers.

Police seized two laptops, eight mobile phones, eight SIM cards and two registers containing jobseekers’ details.

They also found 10 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal linked to “Bretish Airways” and phone numbers and bank accounts allegedly used by the group. Investigators suspect there may be more victims who did not report their losses.

Alleged mastermind learnt the tricks

Police said Sandeep had previously worked as a tele-caller for companies involved in fake aviation-job schemes and allegedly learnt their methods before starting his own operation.

He first launched an alleged fraudulent venture called “Pragati Airways” and later partnered with Akhil to set up “Bretish Airways” and “Future Wings Learning Institute” from a rented office in Noida, investigators said.

The group allegedly bought jobseekers’ data from online employment portals and employed women to pose as aviation-sector HR executives.

When complaints began surfacing against “Bretish Airways”, police say the accused changed names again, launching websites under “Shankh Airways” and “Excellence Learning Institute”.

They also allegedly changed offices, SIM cards and mobile phones to evade detection.

Police are now trying to establish the full scale of the racket and identify others who may have been involved.

For one victim, however, the clue was eventually hiding in plain sight: The airline offering him a career in aviation wasn’t an airline at all.

-- With IANS inputs