Two arrested in Rs 305 crore Nashik Kumbh work-order scam

In the Indian city of Nashik, some people are accused of running a big trick related to the Kumbh Mela, a very large religious festival.

They made fake papers that looked like real government documents, printed with the Government of India emblem and the name of the Kumbh Mela authority.

They told people they could get contracts to do festival work, like cleaning, if they paid money.

Police say the accused took around 305 crore rupees from the people who have come forward, although one news report gives the amount as about 3 crore rupees.

Two people, Tanay Mahajan and Narendra Totaram Mahajan, have been arrested, and police are still looking for two more.

The police have registered three cases after twelve incidents of cheating were reported.

A minister named Girish Mahajan warned people that real Kumbh Mela work orders are only given through online bidding.

He also said real documents never carry a single official's name and always have authorised QR codes.

So if someone offers a Kumbh Mela contract in person and asks for money, it is probably a trick, and people should check with the government first.