The Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police filed a chargesheet against two Punjab residents, Bakshish Singh and Amandeep Singh, for their role in a fraudulent Military Engineering Services (MES) recruitment scam. This case highlights the alarming rise of job frauds affecting innocent candidates.
On Tuesday, officials revealed that the scam surfaced in 2023 when the accused allegedly duped two applicants from Samba district out of Rs 14 lakh by falsely promising them jobs with the MES. The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Crime Branch lodged the chargesheet against the duo at the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate court in Samba.
Authorities registered the case after the victims reported the incident, claiming they had been tricked into paying hefty sums. A police spokesperson confirmed that Bakshish Singh hails from Amritsar, while Amandeep Singh is from Jalandhar. Investigators arrested Bakshish Singh following diligent efforts, but the co-accused Amandeep remains elusive, prompting continued searches and a lookout notice.
The police have initiated proceedings to declare Amandeep Singh a proclaimed offender as they intensify their hunt. The complaint indicates that the victims received counterfeit appointment letters and were repeatedly instructed to travel to various locations, including Ranchi and Meerut, ostensibly for medical checks and document verification, all in preparation for their joining.
However, after a thorough investigation, officials from the MES confirmed that the documents in question were fake and had never been issued by their department. The inquiry revealed that Bakshish and Amandeep exploited the job aspirants’ hopes, significantly impacting their financial stability.
As part of their investigation, the SCW gathered substantial documentary and digital evidence, including bank transaction records and forensic evaluations of the questioned documents. These findings corroborated the victims’ claims and established a clear link between the accused and their fraudulent activities.
In light of this case, the Crime Branch has issued a crucial advisory urging the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent job rackets. They emphasized the importance of verifying job offers through official channels before making any monetary commitments, remarking that such scams have become increasingly prevalent.
Officials call for public awareness to prevent further victimization in similar fraudulent schemes. As job seekers navigate through numerous opportunities, they must ensure to authenticate recruitment offers to protect themselves from scammers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in the pursuit of employment.
