Examiner Bureau | Budgam:
Police in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Friday arrested three more people in an alleged fraud case involving fake government job offers, educational admissions and fictitious business deals, taking the total number of arrests to five.
The latest accused have been identified as Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, son of Habib Ullah Bhat, a resident of Watpora in Bandipora; Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Yousuf Bhat, from Kaloosa in Bandipora; and Saleem Ali Bhat, son of Mohd Shafi Bhat, from Plan in Bandipora.
Police said Zahoor Ahmad Bhat had emerged as a key alleged conspirator during the investigation. The three accused are being questioned to establish their individual roles and determine whether other persons were involved in the alleged network.
Two people, Jehangir Ahmad Dar and Firdous Ahmad Bhat, had been arrested earlier in connection with the case.
According to police, the alleged syndicate cheated people by promising government jobs, admissions to educational institutions outside Jammu and Kashmir, and lucrative business opportunities through fictitious companies.
The accused allegedly claimed to have influence and links with senior government officials and political figures to gain the confidence of prospective victims and extract substantial sums of money from them, investigators said.
Police are examining financial transactions, identifying potential victims and tracing suspected associates to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud. Further arrests and recoveries cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses, officials said.
Budgam Police have urged the public to verify claims concerning government employment, educational admissions and business opportunities through authorised channels. People who believe they have been targeted in similar frauds have been advised to report the matter to their nearest police station.
