BENGALURU: A family of three, along with their associates, allegedly cheated more than 20 job aspirants of Rs 5.30 crore by falsely promising government jobs.
The accused reportedly posed as influential political office-bearers, claiming close links with ministers, legislators, and senior government officials to gain the trust of victims. According to a police complaint filed by Sangamesh Rachaiah Vastrada (40), who hails from Vijapura, he was introduced to Shamshad Begum, who claimed to be the general secretary of the Women’s Wing of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. She introduced her father, Mansoor Ahmed, as a joint secretary of Congress.
They assured the complainant that they could secure Group D and other vacant posts in various government departments in exchange for money. The complainant introduced them to 14 other candidates.
The accused collected Rs 56 lakh in cash, promising jobs in water resources, health, and social welfare departments. Fake examination hall tickets were issued, and candidates were told a “special examination” would be conducted after the regular exams. Later, the accused claimed the candidates would be accommodated under government backlog vacancies.
Shamshad claimed to be a member of the Airport Advisory Committee and produced forged identity cards and documents. She assured the victims that she would help them land jobs as ticket collectors and commercial clerks in the Railways. Seven candidates allegedly paid Rs 2.56 crore through online transfers, following which fake appointment letters were emailed to them.
The accused conducted fake training sessions for three months in Kolkata, followed by another three months near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. In a separate instance, Rs 30 lakh was allegedly collected from another candidate by promising tax assistant’s post in Income Tax Department.
Shamshad, her father Ahmed, her sister Shamee Begum and their associates allegedly collected Rs 5.30 crore in cash and online transfers between July and October 2023. FIR has been registered against five accused.