Ahmedabad: Cases of fraud in the name of overseas employment continue to rise, with a fresh incident reported from Ahmedabad where a 35-year-old man was allegedly cheated of ₹12 lakh on the pretext of securing a job in Finland. The accused reportedly used forged work permits and fabricated documents to make the entire process appear legitimate.
The victim, Milan Barot, a resident of the Ranip area and an HR and administrative officer at a private firm in Sanand, stated in his complaint that he had been actively seeking job opportunities abroad in 2024. During this period, he came into contact with the accused, Naimesh Shah, through a colleague. Shah allegedly introduced himself as an immigration consultant and claimed to facilitate employment in European countries.
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According to the complaint, Shah assured Barot of a job at a hotel in Finland. Over multiple meetings at his office, he gradually built trust and initiated the process by collecting original documents, including Barot’s passport, educational certificates, and identity proofs. Additionally, he allegedly obtained a signed blank cheque from the victim under the pretext of security.
After some time, Shah reportedly sent Barot several documents via WhatsApp, including an offer letter, visa-related papers, and even a purported Finnish residence permit card. These documents were presented as proof that the process had been successfully completed, with only the payment remaining.
Subsequently, the accused instructed Barot to transfer money to a bank account belonging to his associate, Rohit N Sharma. Between November 11 and November 19, Barot transferred a total of ₹12 lakh in multiple installments from his own and his wife’s bank accounts.
However, despite making the payments, there was no confirmation of travel arrangements or any official communication. Growing suspicious due to repeated delays and evasive responses, Barot decided to verify the documents by contacting the Finnish Embassy via email. The response he received exposed the fraud—the documents shared with him were found to be suspicious and likely forged.
Following this revelation, Barot demanded a refund and the return of his documents. While his original documents were eventually sent back via courier in February, the accused allegedly failed to return the ₹12 lakh amount.
After the complaint was lodged, an investigation was initiated. Authorities are currently examining bank transactions, digital communications, and the authenticity of the submitted documents. Preliminary findings suggest that this could be part of a larger organized racket that may have targeted multiple victims using a similar modus operandi.
Experts have repeatedly warned about the increasing trend of such cyber-enabled frauds. Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “In cases involving overseas jobs or work permits, criminals rely heavily on social engineering. They use fake documents, websites, and communication channels to build trust and make the process appear genuine, leaving victims unsuspecting.”
He further emphasized the importance of verifying job offers through official channels before proceeding and cautioned against transferring large sums of money without proper validation.
This incident once again highlights how fraudsters are exploiting people’s aspirations of working abroad. Investigators are now trying to determine the full extent of the network, including whether more individuals have been targeted and whether the operation has links to other states or countries.
For now, the probe continues as authorities work to track down the accused and ensure justice for the victim. The case serves as a stark warning for job seekers to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with overseas employment offers.
