The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against two residents of Punjab, Bakshish Singh and Amandeep Singh, for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent recruitment scam targeting job seekers in the Military Engineering Services (MES). This announcement came on Tuesday in response to a complaint lodged by victims from Samba district, who fell prey to the scammers in 2023.
According to a spokesperson from the Crime Branch, the accused duped two local residents of Samba out of a sum exceeding Rs 14 lakhs with the promise of securing employment in the MES.
The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Crime Branch submitted the chargesheet before the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate in Samba on Monday, outlining the charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Authorities registered the case after the victims reported being misled into paying large sums for non-existent jobs. The investigation revealed that the accused induced the complainants into believing they could secure MES positions through fraudulent means.
Law enforcement arrested Bakshish Singh in Amritsar following intensive efforts. In contrast, his co-accused, Amandeep Singh, remains elusive despite extensive raids and a lookout notice issued against him. Authorities have now begun proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender.
The victims received forged appointment letters claiming to be from MES and were later asked to visit various locations, including Ranchi and Meerut, under the pretense of medical examinations, document verification, and completion of joining formalities.
Confirmation from MES officials later disproved the legitimacy of the appointment letters, revealing they were never issued by the department. The SCW compiled substantial evidence, including bank transaction records and forensic analysis of the questioned documents, strengthening their case against the accused.
The Crime Branch encourages the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent job rackets. Individuals are advised to verify the authenticity of recruitment offers through official government channels before making any financial commitments. This case serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need to exercise due diligence in job recruitment processes to prevent financial loss.
