EOW files chargesheet in large scale fake job scam

Srinagar, Dec 28: Continuing its efforts to expose scams, frauds, and other criminal activities, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir on Sunday said it has filed a comprehensive chargesheet against a Srinagar man for duping innocent job seekers under false pretexts and illicitly collecting “huge sums of money,” amounting to lakhs of rupees, from them, officials said.

They said the accused– identified as Reyaz Ahmad Taploo, S/o Mohammad Sidiq Taploo, R/o Anchaar Dagapora, Soura, Srinagar– was also operating a fake NGO, SAI NGO Consultancy, and was systematically cheating unemployed youth by issuing forged appointment letters and giving false assurances of employment.

Consequently, the EOW has filed a chargesheet before the Court of City Judge (Sub-Registrar), Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 49/2022, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the RPC, pertaining to a large-scale job fraud, they added.

A CBK spokesperson said in a statement that the case stems from a written complaint wherein many residents of Tangmarg area alleged that they were duped by Reyaz Ahmad Taploo, S/o Mohammad Sidiq Taploo, R/o Anchaar Dagapora, Soura, Srinagar. The accused allegedly lured innocent job seekers by falsely promising employment as security guards in reputed hospitals and banks. Under this false pretext, he reportedly collected huge sums of money amounting to several lakhs of rupees from the victims. To further legitimize the fraud, the accused allegedly issued fake appointment orders and uniform items, thereby misleading the victims into believing that the employment offers were genuine.

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Crime Branch Kashmir (now Economic Offences Wing) initiated a thorough and meticulous investigation. During which, it was established that the accused was operating a fake NGO under the name and style of “SAI NGO Consultancy.” Using this fictitious entity as a front, the accused systematically cheated unemployed youth by issuing forged appointment letters and false assurances of employment, the statement reads.

The investigation, the statement further reads, conclusively revealed that the accused indulged in deliberate acts of cheating, forgery, and use of forged documents as genuine, thereby committing serious economic offences and exploiting vulnerable job seekers. After completing all legal formalities and gathering sufficient evidence, the Economic Offences Wing has formally submitted the chargesheet before the competent court for judicial scrutiny and trial.

The Economic Offences Wing reiterates its commitment to curbing employment-related frauds and urges the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent job offers and to verify the authenticity of recruiting agencies before making any financial commitments.