Kupwara, September 5(KNB): In a significant achievement, the Kupwara Police have dismantled a fraudulent recruitment scheme that exploited the dreams of young job seekers. On September 1, 2023, Mumtaz Ahmad Mir, residing in Gund Zonareshi Chowkibal, filed a formal complaint with the Kralpora Police Station, alleging that his son, Mohd Sami Mir, had been deceived by a recruitment scam masterminded by Nazir Ahmad Khan, a resident of Doolipora Trehgam. The complainant stated that his son had lost Rs. 70,000 due to a fake promise of employment in the Military Engineering Service (MES), backed by a counterfeit appointment letter.
In a handout issued to KNB, Police said that, Acting swiftly and aided by credible intelligence from the Military Intelligence (MI), the Kralpora Police initiated legal proceedings by registering FIR No. 76/2023. This FIR includes relevant sections of the law, marking the beginning of a comprehensive investigation.
During the investigation, statements from crucial witnesses were recorded, and counterfeit appointment letters were confiscated as evidence. Nazir Ahmad Khan was subsequently apprehended in connection with the scam. Further revelations unfolded as the accused revealed his association with a group of scammers using a unique modus operandi to deceive unemployed youths seeking MES positions. He also disclosed the identities of his four accomplices: Zahoor Ahmad Mir, a resident of Rawathpora; Shakeel Ahmad Makroo, a resident of Awantipora; Feroz Ahmad Khashu, a resident of Shaltang Srinagar; and Shafkat Ahmad Shah, a resident of Pampore Pulwama.
With the evidence at hand, specialized police teams dedicated to this case quickly arrested all four individuals. Notably, Shakeel Ahmad Makroo emerged as the mastermind, operating under the alias “Raju,” portraying himself as an influential Kashmiri Pandit and an MES officer stationed at Rangreth Srinagar. He enlisted the assistance of Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Feroz Ahmad Khashu, and Nazir Ahmad Khan as field agents, tasked with extorting money from unsuspecting job seekers by promising MES positions. Shafkat Ahmad Shah, the technical expert of the operation, was responsible for fabricating and printing counterfeit appointment letters and other documents. He operated from the “Helpline advertising agency” in Rangreth Srinagar, where he produced these fraudulent documents.
As of now, the gang has victimized approximately eight innocent unemployed youths from North Kashmir, amassing an illegal sum of roughly Rs. 25 lakhs. Substantial evidence, including counterfeit appointment letters, gate passes, laptops, desktops, printers, and cellphones, has been seized from the possession of the accused. The investigation continues, with expectations of additional arrests and further financial recoveries as the case unfolds.
Kupwara Police remain committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. Individuals with information related to this case are encouraged to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, statement added.(KNB)