The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has arrested the alleged mastermind of an overseas job and visa fraud in which 41 people were cheated of around Rs 40 lakh after being promised employment in Russia and Israel, police said on Monday.
The accused, identified as Shantaram Barku Shelke, proprietor of SS Overseas Travels Agency, was arrested from Nalasopara in Maharashtra’s Palghar district after an investigation involving bank transactions, mobile records and field enquiries. Police said he had allegedly been evading investigators by switching off his phones and providing misleading addresses.
Jobs abroad promised
According to the EOW, the victims came across advertisements on social media offering overseas employment opportunities. Shelke and an associate identified as Asif allegedly approached unemployed job seekers with promises of securing jobs abroad, particularly in Russia and Israel.
Police alleged that different amounts were collected from the victims for visas and other formalities required for overseas employment. To convince them that their placements were genuine, the accused allegedly provided them with job offer letters, visas and air tickets.
Fraud found at airport
The alleged fraud came to light when the victims reached the airport to travel abroad and were informed that the documents provided to them were fake. They subsequently attempted to contact Shelke and his associate but allegedly found their mobile phones switched off.
Police said the accused had also shut down the office from which the business was being operated, leaving the job seekers unable to contact them or recover their money.
Office in Laxmi Nagar
During the investigation, the EOW found that Shelke had established SS Overseas Travels Agency at Jawahar Park in Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar. Police said he had also obtained a GST registration, allegedly to give the business an appearance of legitimacy.
Investigators examined the agency’s financial transactions and found that a substantial portion of the money collected from the victims had allegedly been deposited into the company’s bank account as well as Shelke’s personal account.
Trail leads to Maharashtra
Statements of the victims, the landlord and other witnesses were recorded during the investigation. Police also collected and analysed bank records, mobile phone details, rental agreements and other documents connected with the case.
Investigators said Shelke had switched off his known mobile numbers and provided false addresses to evade arrest. Police teams carried out searches and local enquiries at suspected locations in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand before obtaining an arrest warrant against him.
Arrested in Nalasopara
The EOW subsequently correlated technical, financial and documentary evidence to trace Shelke’s movements. Investigators eventually received information that he was staying in Nalasopara in Palghar district, following which a team travelled to Maharashtra and arrested him.
Shelke was produced before a competent court and remanded in custody. Police said further investigation is underway and his criminal antecedents are also being verified.