Victims paid up to R5 lakh each for jobs in European country; accused fled after office shut down, police begin statewide probe
Jobs being offered included positions such as drivers, kitchen staff, cooks and housekeeping personnel. Representation Pic/istock
A case of large-scale job fraud has come to light in Malad, where job seekers were duped to the tune of crores of rupees by fraudsters promising employment opportunities in Luxembourg. The accused operated from an office inside a shopping mall and claimed to specialise in overseas job placements.
According to the information received, the accused had posted advertisements on social media offering job opportunities in five-star hotels abroad, particularly in Luxembourg. Interested individuals clicked on the provided link, which directed them to an office named Aeron Overseas located in the Simplex Building on SV Road, Malad West.
The Aeron Overseas company had a five-star rating on online reviews, which helped gain the trust of many job seekers. As a result, several youths visited the office for inquiries, while others contacted them over the phone last year.
Google reviews of frustrated individuals that got duped
Police sources revealed that the jobs being offered included positions such as drivers, kitchen staff, cooks, housekeeping personnel, and storekeepers in the hotel industry. Applicants came from various parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
“The accused collected lakhs of rupees from the candidates under the pretext of registration fees, MOU. visa charges, accommodation, and offer letter processing, and in return, the victims were given fake visas and job offer letters. Last month, the accused shut down the office and absconded, leaving the job seekers defrauded, said an officer from Malad police station.
So far, 38 more victims have approached the police and filed written complaints. Following directions from senior officers, a case has been registered against Aeron Overseas and its three employees under relevant sections of cheating and forgery under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation is being led by API Sachin Kapse. According to police sources, the accused demanded between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for the promised jobs.
“Some victims trusted the company and paid the full amount, while others paid only half. A few became suspicious and chose not to pay the remaining amount. Most of the victims had transferred the money to the Aeron Overseas company account via RTGS. The police are in the process of gathering details of all the victims and recording their statements. Given the modus operandi of the fraud, the number of victims is expected to rise,” the officer added.
mid-day attempted to speak with some of the victims, but they declined to comment on record. However, one victim, on condition of anonymity, said that he had paid around R3.5 lakh and had received an offer letter, a memorandum of understanding (MoU), and other documents via WhatsApp.
“All of it turned out to be fake when I searched the contact number on Google and inquired with the hotel in Luxembourg,” he said. “We have been visiting the office since last month, but have received no response. The office remains shut, and the mobile number is only active for receiving calls. I recently discovered that the company has duped dozens of others just like me,” he added.
“We have registered a case against the above company and associates yesterday. No arrest has been made as all the accused are at large. Further investigation is underway,” said another officer.
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