Srinagar, April 29 (IANS) J&K Crime Branch said on Wednesday that it has registered an FIR in a fake overseas job scam after a man was duped and trafficked to Cambodia on the promise of overseas employment.

A press statement by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Kashmir said that in a shocking case of fraud and human trafficking, it has registered a case after a man was allegedly duped by a fake job consultancy and trafficked to Cambodia under the pretext of overseas employment.

The Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar, registered a case following receipt of a complaint alleging fraud in connection with overseas job placement.

The complaint states that an individual was lured by an unauthorised consultancy operating from the Pattan area of Kashmir, which falsely promised employment abroad as a computer operator with a lucrative monthly salary.

Acting on these assurances, the complainant transferred a substantial amount of money to the operator’s bank account and incurred additional expenses on travel arrangements and related purchases.

“Upon arrival in Cambodia, the complainant was reportedly received by unknown persons and, instead of being provided the promised employment, was allegedly coerced into engaging in fraudulent online activities. The complainant refused to participate and subsequently realised that he had been deceived, and his money had been dishonestly taken under false pretences,” the crime branch statement said.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the allegations disclosed the commission of offences punishable under Section 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Accordingly, cognisance was taken, and a formal case was registered at the Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. More details are awaited.

The J&K Police have been carrying out aggressive operations against those engaged in financial frauds, and in order to have dedicated, technology-equipped teams of investigators, such cases are handled by the crime branch wing of the police.

Since territorial police are engaged in maintenance of law and order and prevention of day-to-day crimes, a focused full-time attention to investigations of special crimes is being handled by the Crime Branch wing of the J&K Police.

–IANS

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