Delhi Police Arrest Suspect in Overseas Job Fraud That Cheated 41 People

Delhi Police have arrested the alleged mastermind of a visa fraud racket that cheated at least 41 people of around Rs 40 lakh by promising them jobs abroad, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Shantaram Barku Shelke, ran a travel firm called M/s SS Overseas Travels Agency from Jawahar Park in Laxmi Nagar, east Delhi, according to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). He allegedly issued dummy job offer letters, fake visas and air tickets to make victims believe their overseas employment had been arranged, with Russia and Israel among the destinations held out.

Investigators said the victims had responded to advertisements on social media offering jobs overseas. Shelke and an associate identified as Asif allegedly collected large sums from them on the promise of arranging visas and completing other formalities.

The deception came to light when the victims reached the airport to fly out and were told their documents were fake. When they tried to reach the accused for answers, his mobile phone was switched off and the office had been abandoned, officials said.

According to the EOW, Shelke had obtained GST registration for the business to give it a legitimate appearance. A substantial part of the alleged fraud proceeds was deposited in the firm's bank account as well as in his personal account, the investigation found.

Shelke allegedly evaded the police despite repeated field visits and local enquiries at addresses linked to him in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. An arrest warrant was obtained, and technical, financial and documentary evidence, including bank and mobile records, was analysed to trace his movements.

He was eventually tracked down to Nalasopara in Maharashtra's Palghar district, where an EOW team arrested him. He was produced before a court for remand.

As part of the probe, police recorded the statements of the victims, the landlord and other witnesses, and collected and analysed mobile phone records, rent agreements, bank records and other documents. Further investigation is underway, and Shelke's criminal antecedents are being verified.