Srinagar, Jan 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, has registered a criminal case against seven individuals for allegedly cheating and duping unemployed youth by falsely promising government jobs, officials said here.

They said the accused are alleged to have collected around Rs 39 lakh from aspirants on the pretext of securing employment in various departments, including Banks, Agriculture and Defence services and later issued fake and forged appointment orders instead of legitimate jobs.

According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, has registered a criminal case against seven individuals for allegedly cheating and duping innocent people, particularly unemployed youth, on the pretext of providing government jobs.

The statement reads, the case originated from a written complaint received by the EOW, wherein it was alleged that certain persons were fraudulently inducing aspirants by promising employment in various government departments, including Banks, the Agriculture Department, and Defence services. It was further alleged that the accused persons collected an amount of approximately ₹39.00 lakhs from different victims for facilitating their appointment in government services. However, instead of securing legitimate employment, the accused allegedly provided the victims with fake and forged appointment orders.

It reads, upon receipt of the complaint, a preliminary verification was initiated by the Economic Offences Wing, Crime Branch Kashmir. During the course of the probe, the allegations were prima facie substantiated. It was revealed that the accused persons had managed and used SIM cards registered in the names of other individuals to commit acts of cheating and fraud. Verification of the appointment orders supplied to the victims confirmed that the documents were fake and forged.
The acts of the accused prima facie disclose the commission of offences punishable under Sections 420, 468, 472, and 120-B of the RPC.

“Accordingly, cognizance has been taken and a case has been formally registered at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Crime Branch Kashmir. Further investigation is underway.”

The statement further reads, the Economic Offences Wing, Crime Branch Kashmir, advises the general public, especially unemployed youth, to remain vigilant against individuals or groups offering government jobs in exchange for money. Any such fraudulent activity should be promptly reported to the nearest police station or the Economic Offences Wing to prevent further victimization.—(KNO)