Mangaluru: A 28-year-old mechanical engineering graduate lost Rs 2.9 lakh in a job scam after fraudsters posed as recruitment agents for a multinational manufacturing corporation.According to the complaint registered at Kankanady Town police station, the victim had completed his mechanical engineering degree, and was at home when he received a call on May 27. The caller introduced himself as Praveen from a job agency, and claimed that the company was conducting interviews for the post of mechanical production engineer at its Hoskote unit in Bengaluru.Believing the offer to be genuine, the complainant transferred Rs 2,000 as an interview fee to a bank account provided by the caller. On May 29, he received an email containing a video interview link. After the interview, the fraudsters informed him on June 1 that he had been selected, and instructed him to pay Rs 20,000 towards further processing, which he transferred. On June 6, they demanded Rs 27,600 as a gate pass charge, followed by Rs 40,000 on June 13 as a medical examination fee, both of which he paid to different bank accounts.Between June 15 and 25, the accused continued to demand money on various pretexts, and the complainant transferred the amounts as directed. On June 26, when he contacted the caller seeking an update, he was told that he had to pay even more money. He then requested cancellation of the process. The following day, the fraudsters allegedly collected another Rs 15,579 as a cancellation charge, assuring him that the entire amount would be refunded. However, neither was the promised job provided nor was any money returned.Realising that he had been cheated, the complainant contacted the cybercrime helpline and subsequently lodged a complaint at Kankanady Town police station.
