Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, March 24: Sleuths of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) have arrested a couple for allegedly cheating more than 100 job seekers of around Rs 25 crore.
The accused have been identified as Jason D’Souza, 39, and Lavina, 36. They allegedly collected money from victims after promising them jobs in various Union and state government departments. They also assured placements in courts across the state.
Police said the couple operated through a network of agents who collected money from job aspirants.
Promising Group D posts in courts, they allegedly collected between Rs 10 lac and Rs 25 lac from each victim. They produced fake appointment letters bearing forged signatures of judiciary officials, including some judges.
Victims’ documents were verified at lodges. Following this, those “selected” were taken to court complexes on the pretext that they would be employed there.
During the verification process, the accused showed fake offer letters. When victims demanded copies, they were given evasive responses. After collecting the money, the accused would go incommunicado.
Complaints were initially lodged at Basaveshwaranagar and other police stations in the city, and were later transferred to the CCB for a detailed probe.
D’Souza and Lavina had earlier been arrested in a similar case two years ago. After securing bail, they allegedly resumed their fraudulent activities. Manjunath, one of the victims, said he paid Rs 13.5 lac to the couple for a second division assistant’s post in a city court. “The accused took me and others to the third floor of the court building, claiming that we will work there. They also showed us fake offer letters with the signatures of some judges,” he said.
Another victim, Nagaraj, said D’Souza had contacted him over the phone, promising SDA, processor and other Group D jobs in courts.
“The accused have been active since 2023. They might have cheated over 100 job seekers. In 2025, a cheating case was registered against them in Gadag,” a police officer said.