Shravasti District Police Investigate Major Overseas Job Fraud Case
In a significant development from Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti district, a case of large-scale fraud involving the false promise of overseas employment has come to light. Three individuals have allegedly been cheated of several lakh rupees by an accused who assured them of securing lucrative jobs in Saudi Arabia.
Police Register Multiple Cases After Victims' Complaints
Acting on formal complaints filed by the victims, local authorities at Sonwa police station registered three separate cases and launched a comprehensive investigation on Sunday. The swift police action followed persistent efforts by the affected families to seek justice for their financial losses.
The accused has been identified as Salim, also known as Nankau, a resident of Nasirganj village in the region. According to police officials, Salim specifically targeted families from neighboring Bahraich district, approaching them with convincing assurances that he could arrange employment for their sons in Saudi Arabia through his purported overseas contacts.
How the Fraudulent Scheme Unfolded
The police investigation reveals that Salim approached three specific victims: Mausim Khan from Gulhariya village, Rahiman from Balidanpurwa, and the sons of Sahabuddin from Risiya Bazaar. Presenting himself as having strong international connections, the accused allegedly convinced these families that he could secure well-paying jobs for their family members abroad.
According to the detailed complaints filed with authorities, Salim collected substantial sums of money from each victim. Specifically, he took ₹2.20 lakh from both Mausim Khan and Rahiman, while extracting an additional ₹1.10 lakh from Sahabuddin. The victims have stated that the total amount paid to the accused reached ₹3.30 lakh, with all transactions occurring in July 2025.
Promises Broken and Threats Issued
Despite repeated assurances and the passage of several months, the promised overseas jobs never materialized. When the victims began questioning the delay and demanded their money back, the situation took a disturbing turn. The accused allegedly responded with threats of dire consequences, including explicit threats to their lives, according to police statements.
Left with no alternative after these intimidating responses, the victims escalated their complaint to higher authorities. On January 12, they approached the Superintendent of Police directly to seek intervention and justice for their predicament.
Initial Police Inaction and Subsequent Investigation
The complainants revealed that they had initially approached Sonwa police station with their grievances, but no concrete action was taken at that time. It was only after senior police officials intervened and provided specific directions that fresh action was initiated. Based on the written complaints submitted by the victims, three separate cases were formally registered against the accused.
Police officials have confirmed that a thorough investigation is currently underway. Authorities are examining:
- All financial transactions between the accused and victims
- Communication records including messages and calls
- Other documentary evidence related to the fraudulent promises
- The accused's previous activities and potential connections
The case highlights the ongoing vulnerability of individuals seeking overseas employment opportunities and serves as a cautionary tale about verifying employment agents' credentials before making substantial financial commitments.
