Chennai: Man Arrested for Job Scams at Airport
Chennai airport police have apprehended a 73-year-old individual for allegedly perpetrating job fraud by promising employment opportunities at the Customs Department. The accused, identified as Sankaraiah, was taken into custody following a complaint from a job seeker he defrauded.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Sankaraiah, a resident of Alandur and originally from Gudur in Andhra Pradesh, had reportedly met the complainant, Ramamurthy, on a bus a few days prior. He allegedly introduced himself as an official from the Customs Department and claimed he could secure a government job for Ramamurthy in exchange for a sum of money.
Ramamurthy was instructed by Sankaraiah to bring ₹65,000 to the entrance of the Chennai Airport Metro station. However, upon reaching the designated spot with the money, Ramamurthy grew suspicious when Sankaraiah demanded the cash. He subsequently handed the elderly man over to the Chennai Airport police. Subsequent investigations and interrogations revealed that Sankaraiah had been involved in a pattern of deceit, preying on individuals with false promises of securing them jobs at the airport.
The police have stated that Sankaraiah’s modus operandi involved impersonating officials and exploiting the aspirations of job seekers. This incident highlights a recurring issue at and around major transportation hubs, where individuals are targeted with fraudulent job offers, often demanding substantial sums of money upfront. The police are continuing their investigation to ascertain the full extent of Sankaraiah’s activities and if any other individuals were victimized in similar schemes.
In a separate, but related incident reported earlier in the year, a gang of four, including a couple, was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for similar job fraud targeting aspirants for positions at Chennai airport and other central government establishments. In that case, the gang had allegedly cheated multiple job seekers out of approximately ₹70 lakh by issuing fake appointment orders after conducting sham interviews. The police had also seized equipment used for forging documents, including computers, printers, and fake seals.
Authorities have repeatedly warned the public against falling for such scams, emphasizing that legitimate government or private sector organizations do not solicit money in exchange for job placements. Job seekers are advised to exercise extreme caution and verify the authenticity of job offers and the credentials of individuals making such promises. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police immediately. The arrested individual, Sankaraiah, has been produced before the Alandur Magistrate Court.
The repeated occurrence of such fraudulent activities underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating sophisticated scams that prey on the vulnerability of individuals seeking employment. The Chennai Airport police are actively working to dismantle such networks and bring perpetrators to justice, ensuring the safety and security of citizens from financial exploitation.
While the investigation into Sankaraiah’s alleged fraudulent activities is ongoing, the police are appealing to the public for any information that might aid their probe. This includes details of any other individuals who may have been contacted or defrauded by Sankaraiah or individuals operating similar schemes in the vicinity of the airport. The police are committed to ensuring that such criminal elements do not exploit the trust of job seekers.
The financial implications for victims can be devastating, often involving significant personal savings or loans. The current case, involving a demand of ₹65,000, is part of a larger trend of job rackets that have been observed in the region. The thorough investigation by the airport police aims to uncover all facets of this operation and prevent future instances of such deception.
The Chenab Times News Desk