The Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has taken significant action against fraudsters by filing a chargesheet against two Punjab residents for their involvement in a fake recruitment scam targeting the Military Engineering Services (MES). This case highlights the urgent need for vigilance against job scams.
On Tuesday, an official revealed that the scam surfaced in 2023, when the accused allegedly duped two individuals from Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, siphoning off Rs 14 lakh by falsely promising them jobs in the MES.
According to a Jammu Crime Branch spokesperson, the Special Crime Wing (SCW) filed the chargesheet against Bakshish Singh of Amritsar and Amandeep Singh of Jalandhar in the court of the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate in Samba on Monday.
The case, registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, follows a complaint from the two victims. They alleged that the accused induced them to part with a substantial amount of money, ostensibly to secure jobs in the MES.
Law enforcement arrested Bakshish Singh from Amritsar after sustained efforts, while co-accused Amandeep Singh remains at large, despite extensive raids and a lookout notice issued by the police. Authorities have now initiated proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender.
The spokesman noted that the victims received forged appointment letters. They were misled into travelling to various locations, including Ranchi and Meerut, under the guise of undergoing medical examinations and verification of documents, as part of the joining formalities.
A verification process with MES authorities later confirmed that these appointment letters were entirely fake and never issued by the department. Such findings underscore the rampant issue of recruitment frauds.
During the investigation, the SCW meticulously gathered documentary, digital, and financial evidence. This included scrutinizing bank transaction records and conducting forensic examinations of the questioned documents, which substantiated the victims’ claims and allegations.
The Crime Branch has urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent job recruitment hoops. They stressed the importance of verifying the authenticity of job offers through official government channels before making any financial commitments.
This alarming case serves as a reminder for the public to exercise caution when considering job opportunities, particularly those that require upfront payments, as the ramifications of falling victim to such scams can be devastating.
