Complaint Filed Against Flynaut Saas Pvt. Ltd. at Hinjawadi Police Station and Labour Commissioner’s Office
Pune, Aug 20 – Incidents of fraud under the pretext of job offers are not new in India, but rarely has the IT industry witnessed a case of such large-scale deception. In what is being termed as one of the biggest recent scams in Pune’s IT hub, Hinjawadi-based Flynaut Saas Pvt. Ltd. has been accused of defrauding over 400 fresh job seekers, allegedly collecting sums ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹4 lakh from each candidate under the guise of “training and guaranteed placements.”
The Modus Operandi
According to aggrieved employees, the company lured candidates by promising a two-month training program during which they would be paid a stipend of ₹15,000, followed by a full-time role with annual packages between ₹3 lakh and ₹8 lakh. While some stipends were paid initially, salaries for subsequent months were withheld. Several employees claim that the company defaulted on four to six months’ worth of wages, despite repeated assurances.
When employees demanded repayment, they were allegedly misled with false promises and, in some instances, threatened by the HR department, who warned, “We know your IP address and location and can trace your movements.” Victims allege that the company amassed nearly ₹10 crore through this fraudulent scheme.
Victims Seek Legal Action
Unable to recover their money, the distressed employees approached the Forum for IT Employees (FITE), an organization advocating for IT professionals’ rights. Accompanied by FITE president Pavanjeet Mane, they lodged a formal written complaint with the Labour Commissioner’s office and simultaneously filed a fraud complaint at the Hinjawadi Police Station.
Speaking on the matter, Mane urged fresh engineering graduates to remain vigilant against dubious companies offering “training and placement” packages, warning that such fraudulent setups are increasingly targeting vulnerable job seekers.
Company Background
An investigation by Maharashtra Varta’s investigative team revealed that Flynaut Saas Pvt. Ltd. is a One Person Company (OPC) registered with the Registrar of Companies, Pune, on March 16, 2023. The firm is headed by Punam Upesh Patil, who serves as Director, while Upesh Patil acts as CEO and nominee member. Records further show that Upesh Patil is also a director of Nocturnal Softwares Pvt. Ltd., incorporated at Jalgaon in 2015.
Additionally, another firm under their name – Flynaut Saas Training and Development (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. – is registered at the same Hinjawadi office address, suggesting linked operations between the two entities.
Industry-Wide Concerns
The case highlights growing concerns over exploitation in India’s IT sector, where employees often face withheld salaries, abrupt terminations citing poor performance, and coercive tactics such as withholding relieving letters in exchange for dues. Experts argue that such frauds are rarely perpetrated without the active involvement of HR managers, who often serve as intermediaries between management and employees.
Legal experts note that under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, not only company directors but also senior HR officials can be held criminally liable for their role in such scams. Labour rights activist and Advocates have demanded stricter enforcement and the introduction of protective laws similar to the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act, to safeguard IT workers against financial exploitation.
Online Reviews Corroborate Allegations
Employee feedback on platforms such as Ambition Box contains multiple detailed complaints mirroring the allegations made by the victims. Industry observers believe that ongoing police investigations will determine whether Flynaut Saas Pvt. Ltd. has defrauded additional candidates over the years using the same modus operandi.
Review by an AWS Devops Engineer (working remotely)
The company has been consistently holding back employee salaries, in some cases for months, without giving any clarity or valid reasons. Salary is not just money, it is the basic right of every employee for the hard work they put in. Withholding it creates unnecessary financial stress and shows a complete lack of professionalism. Another concerning issue is that the company does not have stable projects to sustain operations. Instead of being transparent with employees and finding solutions, they are using “performance” as an excuse to terminate staff. What makes this even worse is that the company never conducted any performance review meetings, goal-setting sessions, or feedback discussions with employees. In a professional organization, performance management should be a structured and transparent process,not a blanket reason for layoffs. Employees who have worked hard and given their time and skills to the company are being let go without proper explanation or process. This not only affects careers but also shows the lack of value the company places on its own people. Instead of accepting their failure in project acquisition and management, the leadership is blaming employees.
If you have any complaints regarding fraud by a developer or financial scams by companies/persons you can share the details along with proof with the “Aapli Samasya” Team of Maharashtra Varta.Com through WhatsApp on 9372236332 or via email at news@maharashtravarta.com.
