Police have arrested a wanted fraudster accused of cheating unemployed youth of ₹30.45 lakh on the pretext of securing jobs in Dubai, exposing a racket that lured victims abroad with forged contracts and false promises of employment. The accused, Farooq Ali Nizami, a resident of Thane in Maharashtra, was nabbed from Sant Kabir Nagar, where he had been hiding after remaining absconding since 2023.
Following his arrest, Nizami was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
The case pertains to the Rajghat police station area, where Mohammad Azhar, a resident of Turkmanpur and the city’s Naib Qazi, lodged a complaint on August 20, 2023. Azhar alleged that his acquaintance Furqan Ali Nizami, along with his wife Imrana Khatoon and father Farooq Ali, claimed to have vacancies for 70 jobs in Dubai and collected money from him and several others.
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How the fraud was executed
According to investigators, the accused promised placements in roles such as chocolate factory work, trolley bag handling and perfume packing. The deal involved charging ₹30,000 before visa processing and ₹40,000 after the visa was issued from each candidate.
To gain credibility, the accused showed a purported agreement of ‘Delight Chocolate Factory LLC’, which later turned out to be forged.
Police said that 49 individuals transferred around ₹24.30 lakh into the bank accounts of the accused and their family members on different dates. Subsequently, 12 youths were sent to Dubai after their visas were arranged. Upon arrival, they discovered that no such company existed and no jobs had been arranged, leaving them stranded and unemployed.
Victims brought back, threats alleged
Mohammad Azhar told investigators that on humanitarian grounds, he spent approximately ₹6.15 lakh from his own pocket to arrange hotel stays, food and air tickets, and brought all the youths back to India on August 5, 2023.
When he demanded a refund, the accused allegedly began evading repayment and later issued death threats, prompting the registration of a criminal case.
Reward announced, arrest follows
Given the seriousness of the offence, police had announced a reward of ₹15,000 each on the accused. With the arrest of Farooq Ali Nizami, officials said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend other absconding accused linked to the scam.
Experts warn of a recurring overseas job fraud pattern
Cyber and organised crime experts from the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) say overseas job scams typically follow a predictable pattern—fake agreements, urgency tactics, advance fees and visa documents used to build trust.
In such cases, funds are often routed through multiple accounts, weakening transaction trails and complicating recovery. The foundation warns that failure to verify agents, contracts and official vacancy listings significantly increases risk.
Future Crime Research Foundation Advisory
The FCRF has urged job seekers and families to exercise extreme caution before accepting overseas employment offers.
The foundation advises:
- Verify the government registration and licensing of agents and companies
- Independently authenticate offer letters, agreements and employer details
- Treat demands for advance fees or “guaranteed jobs” as red flags
- Make payments only through banking channels and preserve transaction records
- Report suspicious activity immediately to local police or cybercrime portals
The foundation cautioned that early vigilance and timely reporting can prevent severe financial losses and situations where victims are left stranded abroad.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests are likely.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
