Police in Trichy have arrested a 46-year-old man on charges of cheating a job seeker of a substantial sum of money by falsely promising employment in Germany. The accused allegedly used the victim's aspirations for a foreign job to extract payments, only to disappear after receiving the funds.
The Promise of a German Job and the Financial Loss
The case came to light when A Mohammed Sikkandar, aged 33 and a resident of Beema Nagar, approached the Sessions Court police with a complaint. Sikkandar stated that he had contacted the accused, K Ramanathan from Thiruvadanai in Ramanathapuram district, on July 18, seeking assistance to secure a job abroad.
Ramanathan reportedly assured Sikkandar that he could arrange a job in Germany. For this service, he demanded a total of Rs 3 lakh. Trusting the promise, Sikkandar proceeded to transfer Rs 1.4 lakh to Ramanathan through multiple transactions. However, after the money was paid, Ramanathan failed to take any steps towards fulfilling his promise of securing the overseas job.
Threats and Police Intervention
Upon realizing he had been cheated, Sikkandar confronted Ramanathan and demanded a refund of his money. Instead of returning the cash, the accused allegedly responded with threats of dire consequences, intimidating the victim. This intimidation left Sikkandar with no choice but to seek legal recourse, leading him to file an official complaint on Monday.
Following the complaint, the Trichy police launched a detailed investigation. Their probe uncovered a disturbing pattern: Ramanathan had allegedly defrauded multiple victims using similar tactics. The total amount he amassed through these fraudulent activities runs into several lakhs of rupees, indicating a series of calculated crimes.
Arrest and Legal Action Under New Law
Based on the evidence gathered, the police swiftly moved to arrest K Ramanathan. A formal case has been registered against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific sections invoked are 318 (4) for cheating and 351 (2) for criminal intimidation.
After his arrest, Ramanathan was produced before a local magistrate. The court ordered him to be remanded in judicial custody. Police officials have confirmed that further investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of his fraudulent network and to identify all potential victims.
This case serves as a stark warning for individuals seeking employment opportunities abroad. It highlights the importance of verifying the credentials of agents and consultants through official channels before making any financial commitments. Authorities urge the public to report such fraudulent promises to prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.
