The Siliguri Metropolitan Police on Friday busted a racket that was allegedly involved in making money by offering fake jobs in the state police. Three persons, including a woman, have been arrested.

Kunwar Bhusan Singh, a deputy commissioner of police, said here on Saturday that the inspector-in-charge of Pradhannagar police station received a tip-off that some people donning police uniforms were taking physical training at a playground in Baghajatin Colony, a residential area of Siliguri.

“A team went to the spot and intercepted all of them. Altogether, 21 persons were detained and brought to the police station. During inquiry, it was found that three persons had promised jobs in the state police to 18 others and had taken money from them. They had brought these persons here and were conducting a so-called training. Police uniforms and caps have been seized from them,” said Singh.

The trio who were running the racket have been identified as Laxman Choudhury, Bishu Das and Chandra Das. All of them are residents of Balurghat in South Dinajpur.

According to the police officer, the trio had visited places like Darjeeling, Mirik, Sevoke and Dudhia in the past four months, apparently conducting “training sessions” and finally reached Siliguri on Friday. On the same day, they initiated “physical training” of the “recruits”.

“The trio used to approach people who intend to join the state police. They would then ask for money, ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh while promising the job. During preliminary investigation, it has been found that they have swindled job aspirants out of Rs 10 lakh. All the 18 job aspirants are from South Dinajpur district,” the deputy commissioner added.

The police have also found that only physical training, and no arms training, has been conducted so far.