Meerut Man Dies by Suicide After Losing Rs 6 Lakh to Job Fraud
A 37-year-old man in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, died by suicide after being cheated of Rs 6 lakh by a fraudulent job agency. The incident has highlighted the growing menace of job scams targeting unemployed youth in the region.
The Incident
The deceased, identified as Pankaj Kumar, a resident of the Lisari Gate area in Meerut, was found hanging at his residence on Tuesday. He left a suicide note in which he stated that his life was ruined after being duped of Rs 6 lakh by a fake job agency that promised him a lucrative job abroad.
According to police, Kumar had been in contact with the agency for several months. The fraudsters had convinced him to pay the amount for processing fees, visa charges, and other formalities for a job in Dubai. However, after receiving the money, the agency stopped responding to his calls and messages.
Police Investigation
Meerut police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and cheating against unknown persons. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Meerut, Rohit Singh Sajwan, said, "We have recovered the suicide note and are investigating the matter. The note clearly mentions the job fraud and the amount involved. We are trying to trace the fraudsters using technical surveillance and call detail records."
Police have also sent the body for postmortem and are questioning the family members to gather more details about the agency and the individuals involved.
Rising Job Scams
This incident is part of a worrying trend of job frauds in Uttar Pradesh. According to data from the Uttar Pradesh Police, over 1,200 cases of job fraud were registered in the state in 2025, with victims losing amounts ranging from a few thousand to several lakhs. The fraudsters often target educated but unemployed youth by promising high-paying jobs in India or abroad.
In a similar case last month, a 28-year-old man from Lucknow was arrested for allegedly duping over 50 people of Rs 1.5 crore on the pretext of providing government jobs.
Family's Grief
Kumar's family is devastated by his death. His elder brother, Sanjay Kumar, said, "He was a simple and hardworking man. He had been saving money for years to get a good job. When he lost all that money, he became depressed. He didn't tell us about the fraud until it was too late."
Sanjay added that the family had no idea about the agency or the people involved. He urged the police to take strict action against the culprits.
Government Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the incident and directed the Meerut police to ensure a thorough investigation and prompt action against the accused. He also appealed to the youth to verify the credentials of any job agency before making payments.
In a statement, the Chief Minister's Office said, "The state government is committed to eradicating such fraudulent practices. We have set up a helpline number 1090 for victims of cyber and job fraud. We urge citizens to report any suspicious job offers immediately."
Preventive Measures
Experts advise job seekers to be cautious while dealing with recruitment agencies. They should check the agency's registration with the Ministry of External Affairs or the concerned state labor department. Additionally, no genuine employer asks for money for job processing or visa fees.
The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with many calling for stricter laws against job fraud and better awareness campaigns for job seekers.
