SRINAGAR, JAN 17: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has exposed a sophisticated employment fraud operation, registering a criminal case against a former police employee accused of orchestrating a large-scale scam that defrauded aspiring job seekers of nearly Rs 23 lakh through fake promises of government employment and forged official documentation.
The case came to light following a detailed written complaint submitted to the Economic Offences Wing in Srinagar by multiple victims who alleged they were systematically duped by the accused, identified as an ex-police employee. According to the complaint, the accused exploited the aspirations of innocent job seekers by fraudulently collecting substantial amounts of money under the guise of securing government positions for them.
Investigation officials revealed that the accused employed an elaborate modus operandi involving the issuance of fabricated appointment orders and a range of counterfeit documents designed to lend credibility to the fraudulent scheme. The forged materials included fake identity cards, licenses, appointment letters, and even fabricated police and CID verification reports, which were presented to unsuspecting victims to establish trust and legitimacy.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Economic Offences Wing immediately launched a preliminary investigation into the allegations. The probe substantiated the claims on a prima facie basis, revealing that the accused had systematically cheated the complainants by issuing spurious job orders and extracting their hard-earned money through false assurances of government employment opportunities.
Based on the investigation findings, the EOW has taken cognizance of the matter and formally registered a case at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar, under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The case underscores the growing menace of employment fraud in the region, where unscrupulous individuals exploit the desperation of job seekers, particularly youth aspiring for government positions. Authorities have advised the public to exercise extreme caution and verify the authenticity of job offers through official channels before making any financial commitments.
Further investigation into the matter is currently underway, with officials working to identify additional victims and ascertain the full extent of the fraudulent operation. The EOW has urged anyone who may have been similarly victimized to come forward and register their complaints to aid the ongoing investigation.
