Jammu: The Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a chargesheet against two Punjab residents in connection with an alleged ₹14 lakh fake recruitment scam involving the Military Engineering Services (MES). Investigators said the accused allegedly deceived two job aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district by promising them government jobs, collecting large sums of money, and providing forged appointment letters to keep them convinced that they had been selected. One accused has been arrested, while the other remains absconding. Legal proceedings have been initiated to have the fugitive declared a proclaimed offender.
According to the Crime Branch, the Special Crime Wing (SCW), Jammu, submitted the chargesheet before the Court of the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate in Samba against Bakshish Singh of Amritsar and Amandeep Singh of Jalandhar. The case was registered in 2023 after two residents of Samba alleged that the accused had fraudulently collected ₹14 lakh by falsely assuring them of recruitment into the Military Engineering Services.
The investigation revealed that the accused allegedly portrayed themselves as influential individuals capable of securing appointments in defence establishments. They reportedly assured the victims that their recruitment process had been completed and that they would soon join government service. To make the claims appear genuine, the accused allegedly supplied forged appointment letters and fabricated documents resembling official government recruitment records.
Believing the job offers to be authentic, the victims paid the demanded amount. Police said the accused continued communicating with them, citing various stages of the recruitment process and repeatedly assuring them that their appointments were progressing as planned, thereby preventing the victims from suspecting any wrongdoing.
Investigators said the victims were later instructed to travel to different locations, including Ranchi and Meerut, under the pretext of medical examinations, document verification, and joining formalities. These repeated trips allegedly created the impression that the recruitment process was legitimate. However, subsequent verification with the Military Engineering Services established that the appointment letters were entirely forged and had never been issued by the department.
The Crime Branch stated that the investigation involved the collection of documentary, digital, and financial evidence. Bank transaction records, digital communication data, and forensic examination of the disputed documents corroborated the allegations made by the complainants. Based on these findings, investigators prepared and filed the chargesheet before the court.
Officials said Bakshish Singh was arrested from Amritsar after sustained efforts by the investigating team. However, despite multiple search operations and the issuance of a lookout notice, co-accused Amandeep Singh has remained out of police custody. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings to have him declared a proclaimed offender to facilitate further action under the law.
Investigators said the probe is continuing to determine whether the accused targeted additional victims using similar fraudulent recruitment schemes or were part of a larger organised employment fraud network. The Crime Branch has advised the public to verify every government recruitment offer through the official website or authorised recruitment channels before making any payment and to avoid transferring money to intermediaries claiming to guarantee government jobs.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
