BENGALURU: Sleuths of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) have arrested a couple for allegedly cheating over 100 job seekers of around Rs 25 crore.
The accused have been identified as Jason D’Souza, 39, and Lavina, 36. They collected money from the victims after promising them jobs in various departments of the Union and state governments. They also promised the victims of helping them with jobs in various courts in the state.
The couple reportedly had a network of agents who used to collect money from the victims. After promising D group jobs in various courts, the couple collected between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh from each job aspirant. They showed fake appointment letters with signatures of officials in the judiciary, including some judges.
Verification of documents of the victims were done at lodges. After verification of documents, those selected were taken to court complexes, claiming that they would be working there.
During verification, the accused showed fake offer letters to the victims. When the victims sought offer letters, the accused would give them evasive replies. After collecting money from the victims, they would disappear.
The victims filed complaints at Basaveshwaranagar and other police stations in the city. All cases were transferred to the CCB for investigation.
D’Souza and Lavina were arrested two years ago in a similar case. After their release on bail, they resumed their fraudulent activity. Manjunath, a victim, said that he paid Rs 13.5 lakh to the couple for a second division assistant’s job in a city court. “The accused took me and others to the third floor of the court building, claiming that we will work there. They also showed us fake offer letters with the signatures of some judges,” he said.
Nagaraj, another victim, said D’Souza spoke to him over the phone, promising SDA, processor and other Group D jobs in courts.
“The accused have been active since 2023. They might have cheated over 100 job seekers. In 2025, a cheating case was registered against them in Gadag,” a police officer said.