Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 18: The Goa Police Crime Branch has arrested a third accused in connection with an alleged fake overseas employment racket that duped job seekers by promising lucrative jobs abroad.

Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta said Harpreet Singh (39), a resident of Haryana, was arrested at Delhi Airport on Friday after investigators issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him.

According to the investigation, Singh and his associates allegedly conspired to cheat job aspirants from several states by collecting money from them on the false assurance of securing employment in Hong Kong and other foreign destinations.

Police said the accused allegedly functioned as recruitment agents without obtaining the mandatory registration under the Emigration Act. Instead of arranging legitimate employment, they are accused of sending victims to several East Asian countries on tourist visas, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation rather than the promised jobs.

Earlier in the investigation, the Crime Branch had arrested Ambar Sawant and Pankaj Naik, both residents of Goa, for their alleged involvement in the same racket.

Officials said further investigation is underway to identify additional victims and determine whether more people were involved in the operation.

The Crime Branch has also advised job seekers to verify the credentials of overseas recruitment agencies before making any payments. Police urged candidates to seek employment abroad only through agencies registered under the Emigration Act to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes.