A woman who introduced herself by different names- Jhanvi, Riya, Lata and Simran allegedly helped run a fake domestic help placement racket that cheated families looking for house helps, police said, reports Times of India.
The scam came to light after a Delhi family reported losing money to a placement agency that promised to provide verified domestic help. Police have now arrested two people, including the alleged mastermind and the woman who was sent to multiple homes under different identities, the report said.
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How was the scam planned?
According to investigators, the fraud began when a complainant searched online for domestic help and contacted a placement agency.
Soon after, a woman identifying herself as Jhanvi was sent to the family's home on a trial basis. The agency assured the family that all paperwork, including a formal agreement and police verification, would be completed after certain charges were paid.
The complainant paid Rs 20,000 through UPI and another Rs 13,000 in cash, believing the agency was genuine, only to realise that they were duped.
Maid vanishes, phones switched off
The family's suspicions were raised on May 21 when the woman allegedly disappeared from the house without informing anyone. According to the complaint, she went to the washroom and never returned.
The family immediately contacted the agency, whose representatives initially promised to send a replacement. However, within a short time, both the agency operators and the maid went incommunicado and their phones were switched off.
Police launch investigation
After receiving the complaint, the Cyber Police Station in Shahdara registered a case and launched an investigation. Officials tracked mobile numbers, analysed IMEI records, followed digital footprints and examined financial transaction trails to identify those behind the alleged fraud. Two people were eventually arrested after the investigation.
Who are the accused?
Police identified the accused as 36-year-old Hitai Mukhiya, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation, and 22-year-old Jhanvi Kumari.
Investigators claim that Kumari was repeatedly sent to different households while using different names and identities.
DCP (Shahdara) Rajendra Prasad Meena said, “Trusting the agency’s assurances, the complainant transferred Rs 20,000 through UPI and paid another Rs 13,000 in cash. On May 21, the maid allegedly went to the washroom and disappeared without informing anyone. When the family contacted the agency, its operators initially promised a replacement. Shortly thereafter, both the agency and the maid became unreachable, with their phones switched off.”
Multiple fake agencies allegedly used
During questioning, police reportedly discovered that the accused were operating several fake placement agencies under different names.
Authorities said these agencies advertised domestic help services online and collected advance payments from families. The charges often included maid placement fees, agreement costs and police verification expenses.
The same woman would then be sent to various homes under different identities.
The pattern investigators found
Police believe the operation followed a simple but effective pattern.
After arriving at a home and gaining the family's trust, the woman would allegedly leave within a day or two. She would then move to another household using a new name, allowing the agency to collect fresh payments from a new victim.
Investigators suspect the scheme may have targeted multiple families and are now working to identify additional victims.
What Police recovered
During the arrests, police seized several items believed to be linked to the alleged racket, including:
Three mobile phones
Five SIM cards
An ATM card allegedly connected to the fraud proceeds
Placement agency pamphlets
Rubber stamps
Registration-related documents
Cash receipt slips
Officials are examining the seized material to determine how large the operation was and whether more people were involved. The investigation is ongoing, and police expect more details to emerge as they analyse the recovered evidence.
