Pune Police Book 3 In ₹45 Lakh Fake Job Scam

The Pune Police have registered a case against three individuals, including a trustee of the Jejuri temple, for allegedly cheating a job aspirant of ₹45 lakh by promising a permanent job in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The complaint was filed by Shalaka Vinayak Ghoge, Superintendent of the General Administration Department of the PMC, at the Shivajinagar Police Station.

The accused, Shivanand Balasaheb Patil, Namita Govardhan Bansode, and Rajendra Baban Khedekar, a trustee of the Jejuri temple, allegedly used forged appointment letters, fake official seals, counterfeit signatures of senior civic officials, and fabricated PMC letterheads to deceive the job aspirant. They lured unemployed candidates by assuring them of permanent jobs in various PMC departments and collected huge sums of money from them.

In one such case, the trio allegedly promised a youth from Patan a job as a Junior Engineer in the PMC and collected ₹45 lakh from him on different occasions. They issued him a fake appointment order bearing forged signatures of the PMC Deputy Commissioner (General) and the Administrative Officer of the Building Department, along with the PMC's official emblem and watermark.

The alleged offences took place between March 2022 and July 2026 at the PMC and other locations in Pune. Patil was posted as a peon at the Khashaba Jadhav Sports Complex on Tilak Road. The accused accepted money from candidates through both cash and cheques and repeatedly assured them that their appointments had been finalised, but no jobs were actually provided.

Investigators suspect that more people may have been involved in the racket. Police are examining financial transactions, bank records, forged documents, and other evidence to identify additional accused and determine the full extent of the scam. Further investigation is underway.

The case highlights the issue of job scams in the city, where unemployed individuals are being targeted by fraudsters promising them permanent jobs in government departments. The Pune Police have urged citizens to be cautious and verify the authenticity of job offers before making any payments.

The Jejuri temple trustee's involvement in the scam has raised questions about the misuse of power and influence by individuals in positions of authority. The temple is a prominent religious institution in the region, and the trustee's alleged involvement in the scam has shocked the community.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has also come under scrutiny for the alleged scam, with questions being raised about the security measures in place to prevent such frauds. The corporation has assured that it will take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

The case is a reminder of the need for vigilance and awareness among citizens, particularly job aspirants, to avoid falling prey to such scams. The Pune Police have urged citizens to report any suspicious activities or job offers to the authorities immediately.

In conclusion, the Pune Police's action against the three accused is a step in the right direction towards curbing job scams in the city. However, more needs to be done to prevent such incidents and protect the interests of job aspirants. The authorities must take necessary measures to ensure that such scams are prevented in the future and that those responsible are brought to justice.