JOWAI: A fraudster, who went about town busy cheating people in the name of providing government postings, was finally put behind bars on Tuesday.
Armos Pasam of Pathajuri in Karbi Anglong district of Assam was arrested in Jowai but not before he had cheated job seekers of lakhs of rupees. The accused is a temporary resident of Nongthymmai Lawjynriew.
The alleged fraudster duped several unsuspecting people in Khasi, Jaintia and Ri-Bhoi districts by promising jobs in the Soil and Water Conservation department, NEIGRIHMS and also in the Indian Railways.
However, his luck ran out after a complaint was lodged by Mistalin Mukhim and Klora Dkhar, both residents of Ladthadlaboh, Dongmihsngi, following which Jowai police, assisted by the HNYF Mawlai Circle, arrested him on Tuesday.
Police have registered booked him under Sections 419 and 420 of the IPC.
According to the victim Mistalin Mukhim, Pasam had promised to get her two daughters suitable jobs in NEIGRIHMS and in the State Health department. He took Rs.1.2 lakh from her on an installment basis. The final installment was paid to him when he arrived before the victim with self prepared documents such as appointment letters and others. The alleged fraudster had made seals of various departments and also forged the signature of concerned officers of various departments.
On February 6, the accused had taken Rs.32,000 from Klora Dkhar with the same promise of providing a job at NEIGRIHMS and also issued appointment letter to the victim.
The accused generally posed as the Medical Officer of NEIGRIHMS or the Shillong Officer of the Soil and Water Conservation department or sometimes as the Medical Director of NEIGRIHMS, to lure potential victims.
According to HNYF Mawlai Circle president, Sanbor Rapsang, the accused had cheated several unemployed persons in Mawlai and also in Nongpoh. He had collected Rs.1.40 lakh from one person and Rs.1.30 lakh from another resident of Mawlai. Three others residents of Mawlai had allegedly paid him Rs.40,000, Rs.20000 and Rs.50,000, respectively to secure government jobs.
A job seeker from Nongpoh, G. Mukhim, is also said to have paid Rs.50,000 to Pasam in lieu of the promise of a government job for her.