Three Arrested for Scamming ₹70 Lakhs in Maharashtra Job Fraud

Maharashtra Job Scam Uncovered

In a significant development, three individuals have been apprehended for allegedly defrauding a man in Thane district of Maharashtra by promising him a government job. The police disclosed this information on Friday.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amar Singh Jadhav, the suspects deceived the victim, Darshan Santosh Patil, by presenting a counterfeit letter featuring forged signatures and seals of senior officials from the state ministry.

These documents even bore the national emblem. Patil reportedly transferred a total of ₹70 lakhs to the accused through various online and banking methods, as well as in cash. Subsequently, the fraudsters provided him with a fake appointment letter and ID card, falsely indicating his employment as a 'Clerk-Typist' in the Revenue and Forest Department.

Upon realizing the deception, Patil filed a complaint, prompting the crime branch to initiate an investigation that led to the arrest of all three suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Shyam Vithoba Khatkar (55) from Mumbai, Jugal Kumar Lodaya alias Lodhya (39) from Thane, and Ravindra Dayanidhi Sankhua (52) from Kalyan (East).

Authorities recovered numerous counterfeit government letterheads, fake rubber stamps, and official seals bearing the names of senior ministry officials from the suspects. The police noted that all three are habitual offenders with multiple criminal cases against them. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the accused obtained the forged seals and letterheads.

Jadhav stated, 'We are also looking into whether the suspects have defrauded other individuals as well.'