THANE: With the arrest of four persons, Thane police in Maharashtra today claimed to have busted a gang which sold fake certificates needed for jobs in Merchant Navy.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Abdulla Manlupathad Hakim (42), Vijayan Gopal Pillai (55) and Alim Mohaddin Moosa (60) in Naupada area here on August 1 and seized fake Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs).
Following their interrogation, Dinesh Shankar Raudal (29), who allegedly prepared these bogus documents, was arrested from Pali in Raigad district today morning.
CDS certifies that the person holding it is a seaman as per the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers.
The accused had floated a tourism company at Bhandup in Mumbai through which they operated, said Thane police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The fake CDCs were sold to job seekers for Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh.
A case under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery) and other relevant sections was registered.
Police also seized passports of 27 candidates, bio-datas, educational certificates and fake CDCs from the tourism company's office. Further probe is on.