Bengaluru: Online fraudster dupes research analyst of Rs 45,000

BENGALURU: Getting a job offer abroad at the click of a button may sound attractive, but beware before you go ahead with any such opportunity. While the city police have launched a drive against the online fraudsters and fake job scams, the fraudsters continue to dupe several people by offering fake job placements overseas. Individuals searching for a job online become perfect baits for such fraudsters.

In a recent incident, a 28-year-old research analyst, Khadhar Hussen Sheik, became the latest victim of fake online job placement and was cheated of Rs 45,000. Sheik, a resident of BTM Layout was in dire need of a job and couldn’t believe when he received an official mail from the embassy of Switzerland by a person named Linus Von Castelmur.

The accused, posing as an ambassador of Switzerland, had approached Sheik for a prospective job opening as an assistant manager for a poultry farm using embassy of Switzerland’s official email id. Sheik immediately cross checked and found the given contact numbers and email ids authentic.

Sheik soon received an official mail from Switzerland embassy office based in New Delhi. Realising something was amiss, he began to investigate. He was shocked to learn that the person who had duped him was a local, residing in Battarahalli.

Sheik told this newspaper, “I received an email from the person named Dr Matthias Schwarzwald DVM, Ph.D, Diplomate ACVIM (cardiology) around 15 days ago. The accused then asked me to send him my credentials based on which the further proceedings will be decided. After a few days, I got a reply that my candidature has been selected and was asked to remit a demand draft of Rs 4,500 for Visa in favour of ‘Embassy of Switzerland’ payable at New Delhi, which I did. He then directed me to another person named Linus Von Castelmur stating that the person will help me complete the process. The accused approached me as the Consulate General of Switzerland, Applicant's Support Section based in Bengaluru. ”

He further said, “After the payment was done, the fraudster asked me to pay another Rs 17, 000 for IELTs exam clearance, following which I will get the visa on work permit. Falling into the trap, I remitted the amount and waited for the police verification process to be done and in no time got clearance from Swiss visa section. He then asked me to pay Rs 35,000 more for work permit to which I grew suspicious. I immediately called the Switzerland embassy in Delhi and gave my passport number to inquire about the visa process. And to my horror, the officer told me that they have not received any application by name Khadhar Hussen Sheik.”

Sheik then made enquiries at the bank and came to know about the identity of the fraudster - Khaja Sab, a resident of Battarahalli. He immediately informed the cyber crime police and they registered a case against him. When DC tried to contact the number given by the fraudster, the calls went unanswered.