SRINAGAR, Indian-Occupied Kashmir: Authorities in Indian-occupied Kashmir have filed a chargesheet against a Srinagar man accused of running a multi-million-rupee overseas job scam, alleging he defrauded aspiring workers by promising employment abroad using forged visas, fake job offer letters and other fabricated documents.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch said the chargesheet was submitted before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Srinagar in connection with a case registered in 2021.
Fraudulent recruitment agencies and employment scams have surged across India, accounting for an estimated 15% of reported cybercrime cases.
The case comes amid a sharp rise in employment fraud across India, particularly scams targeting people seeking jobs overseas.
Fraudsters often target young job seekers and recent graduates, exploiting their aspirations for better opportunities by demanding upfront payments, promising non-existent overseas jobs and issuing fake offer letters and other forged employment documents.
The accused, identified as Fayaz Ahmad Zarger, is charged under provisions of the former Ranbir Penal Code relating to cheating, forgery for cheating and using forged documents as genuine.
Promise of Jobs Abroad
According to investigators, the case began after a complaint alleged that the accused, who operated HR Choice International Education Consultancy in the Karan Nagar area of Srinagar, promised to secure employment for job seekers in Bahrain.
The Crime Branch said its investigation found that the accused allegedly used the same method with several people, collecting large amounts of money while providing forged job offer letters, visas, airline tickets and other fabricated documents to make the recruitment process appear legitimate.
Investigators said the alleged victims were also asked to participate in online interviews, undergo medical examinations and sign agreements before being told they would be sent overseas for work.
No Employment Arranged
The investigation concluded that no overseas jobs had been arranged despite the promises made to applicants.
According to the Crime Branch, the money collected from the alleged victims was neither refunded nor returned.
Officials said the evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegations, leading to the filing of the chargesheet after the completion of legal formalities. The case will now proceed before the court.
Public Warning
The Economic Offences Wing has urged people to exercise caution when dealing with overseas employment and immigration agencies.
Authorities advise applicants never to make advance payments for visas, documentation or medical tests, to verify overseas recruiters through official government channels and to be wary of offers promising unusually high salaries or guaranteed visas without a proper recruitment process.
Victims are urged to preserve evidence, including payment records and communications, and report suspected fraud to the relevant cybercrime authorities without delay.
