A major Delhi overseas job fraud case has come to light after the Delhi Police arrested the alleged mastermind of a recruitment scam in which at least 41 people were reportedly cheated of approximately ₹40 lakh on the promise of overseas employment.
The accused, identified as Shantaram Barku Shelke, is the proprietor of Delhi-based M/s SS Overseas Travels Agency. According to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police, he allegedly provided fake job offer letters, visas and air tickets to convince job seekers that their overseas employment arrangements were genuine.
The victims had reportedly responded to social media advertisements offering jobs abroad, particularly in Russia and Israel.
Police said the accused was arrested in Nalasopara, Maharashtra, after allegedly evading authorities by switching off his mobile phones and providing misleading addresses.
The Delhi overseas job fraud investigation is ongoing, and police are examining financial records, documents and the alleged involvement of other individuals.
Delhi Overseas Job Fraud: 41 People Allegedly Cheated of ₹40 Lakh
According to the Economic Offences Wing, at least 41 people were allegedly cheated of around ₹40 lakh through promises of overseas employment.
The victims reportedly responded to advertisements on social media offering jobs abroad.
The accused, along with an alleged associate identified as Asif, reportedly collected money from job seekers on the pretext of arranging visas, travel documents and other recruitment formalities.
The investigation found that the victims were allegedly given documents intended to make them believe that their overseas employment arrangements had been completed.
However, when they reached the airport to travel abroad, they were reportedly informed that the documents provided to them were fake.
The Delhi overseas job fraud case highlights allegations of financial deception involving fake employment documents and overseas recruitment promises.
Fake Job Offer Letters, Visas and Air Tickets Allegedly Used
Police alleged that Shantaram Barku Shelke issued dummy job offer letters, fake visas and air tickets to convince victims that they had secured employment abroad.
The documents reportedly created the impression that the recruitment process had been completed and that the victims were ready to travel.
According to the investigation, the alleged fraud primarily involved job opportunities in Russia and Israel.
The victims reportedly discovered the alleged deception only after reaching the airport and being informed that their travel documents were not genuine.
The allegations form a central part of the Delhi overseas job fraud investigation.
Victims Allegedly Abandoned After Reaching the Airport
According to police, the victims attempted to contact the accused after discovering that the documents provided to them were allegedly fake.
However, the accused and his associate reportedly became unreachable.
Police said the accused allegedly switched off their mobile phones and abandoned the office, leaving the victims without clarification about their promised employment or the money they had paid.
The victims were reportedly left facing financial losses and uncertainty over their overseas job plans.
The Delhi overseas job fraud case illustrates the risks associated with paying recruitment fees before independently verifying an employer, job offer and travel documents.
SS Overseas Travels Agency: How the Business Allegedly Operated
During the investigation, police found that Shelke had opened an overseas employment office under the name M/s SS Overseas Travels Agency at Jawahar Park in Laxmi Nagar, East Delhi.
According to police, he had also obtained a GST registration for the business, allegedly giving it the appearance of a legitimate operation.
Investigators reportedly examined the agency’s operations, financial transactions and documents to establish how the alleged scheme functioned.
Police said a substantial portion of the alleged proceeds was received in the firm’s bank account and Shelke’s personal bank account.
The investigation also involved collecting and analysing documents connected with the agency’s activities.
Bank Records and Mobile Data Helped Police Trace the Accused
According to the EOW, investigators recorded statements from victims, the landlord and other witnesses.
They also collected and analysed:
- Mobile phone records.
- Bank account statements and transaction records.
- Rent agreements.
- Other documentary evidence related to the alleged operation.
Police said Shelke had allegedly evaded authorities despite repeated visits and local enquiries at his known addresses in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained.
Investigators reportedly analysed and correlated technical, financial and documentary evidence to trace his movements.
The accused was eventually tracked to Nalasopara in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.
An EOW team reached the location and arrested him.
Accused Arrested in Nalasopara, Maharashtra
The alleged mastermind of the Delhi overseas job fraud was arrested in Nalasopara after police tracked his movements using investigative leads and documentary evidence.
According to officials, Shelke had allegedly attempted to evade arrest by switching off his mobile phones and providing misleading addresses.
After his arrest, he was produced before a court for remand.
Police said further investigation was underway and that the accused’s criminal antecedents were being verified.
The investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud and examine the role of other individuals.
How Job Seekers Can Protect Themselves From Overseas Job Fraud
The Delhi overseas job fraud case highlights the importance of independently verifying overseas recruitment agencies and employment documents before making payments.
People planning to work abroad should take the following precautions:
- Verify the recruitment agency: Check whether the agency is registered with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) if it is recruiting Indian workers for overseas employment.
- Confirm the employer: Independently verify the identity of the foreign employer and the authenticity of the job offer.
- Check the offer letter: Contact the employer through independently verified channels to confirm that the employment offer is genuine.
- Verify the visa: Confirm that the visa or work permit is authentic and appropriate for the proposed employment.
- Review the employment contract: Check the salary, job role, working conditions and other employment terms.
- Be cautious about social media advertisements: Do not rely solely on advertisements, testimonials or screenshots shared by recruiters.
- Maintain payment records: Obtain receipts and keep records of all transactions.
- Avoid pressure to pay immediately: Take time to verify the recruitment process before transferring money.
Job seekers can also check relevant recruitment-agent information through the official MEA eMigrate portal.
Official portal: MEA eMigrate Portal
FAQs : Delhi Overseas Job Fraud
1. What is the Delhi overseas job fraud case?
The Delhi overseas job fraud case involves allegations that at least 41 people were cheated of approximately ₹40 lakh through promises of overseas employment, particularly in Russia and Israel.
2. Who was arrested in the overseas job fraud case?
Shantaram Barku Shelke, proprietor of M/s SS Overseas Travels Agency, was arrested by Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.
3. How much money was allegedly collected from victims?
According to police, approximately ₹40 lakh was allegedly collected from at least 41 victims.
4. Which countries were involved in the alleged job scam?
The alleged overseas employment offers primarily involved Russia and Israel.
5. What documents were allegedly provided to victims?
Police alleged that the accused issued dummy job offer letters, fake visas and air tickets to convince victims that their overseas employment arrangements were genuine.
6. Where was the accused arrested in Delhi Overseas Job Fraud?
The accused was arrested in Nalasopara, located in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.
7. What happened when victims reached the airport?
According to police, victims were informed that the documents provided to them were fake when they arrived at the airport to travel abroad.
8. Has the accused been convicted in Delhi Overseas Job Fraud?
No conviction is reported in the provided information. The accused was arrested and produced before a court for remand. The investigation is ongoing.
Final Takeaway On Delhi Overseas Job Fraud
The Delhi overseas job fraud case involves allegations that 41 people lost approximately ₹40 lakh after being promised overseas employment and allegedly receiving fake job offer letters, visas and air tickets.
Delhi Police arrested the alleged mastermind, Shantaram Barku Shelke, in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police examining financial records, documents and the alleged involvement of other individuals.
For people seeking employment abroad, the case is a reminder to verify recruitment agencies, confirm job offers directly with employers and check travel documents before making payments.
Source : NDTV
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