NIA aspirant cheated of 9L in fake job scam

Mumbai: A job aspirant looking to secure a position in National Investigation Agency (NIA) was allegedly duped of Rs 8.99 lakh by two fraudsters who promised him a govt job using fake appointment letters and fake correspondence.

According to the complaint, Srikesh Kekane, a native of Nashik, appeared for staff selection exams held in 2020. He was selected for the post of constable in the NIA but claimed to be on the waiting list. Two persons — Sandeep Dugad and his associate Nilesh Rathod — claimed they could secure him a position in NIA through the Staff Selection Office at Churchgate, Mumbai. The duo provided him with an appointment letter allegedly signed by senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and later directed him to report to the NIA office in Kochi, Kerala, on Dec10, 2024.

"Believing the offer letter to be legitimate, the complainant travelled to Kochi only to discover that the NIA office relocated. When he contacted Dugad for clarification, he was reassured that there was a ‘technical issue' with his appointment and was asked to stay in Kochi for another day. However, after weeks of waiting, he received another appointment letter via courier, instructing him to visit the NIA office again on Dec 26," said an officer.

Upon visiting the NIA office in Kochi on the scheduled date, the job spirant was shocked to learn that the appointment letter was fake and that no such job offer existed. Realising that he was scammed, he approached Nashik police. The Nashik police asked the complainant to approach Azad Maidan police. The Azad Maidan police on Monday booked Dugad and Rathod for cheating, forgery, and breach of trust.