Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police have dismantled an elaborate fraud network that enticed hopefuls with promises of government jobs, Special Police Officer (SPO) postings, official clearances and overseas travel packages.

Complaint Over Bogus SPO Appointment

The case originated when a resident filed a grievance at Beerwah police station on 17 August 2026. He asserted that he had handed over roughly Rs 3 lakh after being assured of an SPO assignment. In return, he received a document that resembled an appointment and recommendation letter allegedly signed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Verification showed that the paper bore the name of the former Union Home Secretary and was addressed to the Director General of Police, J&K, purportedly confirming the recruitment of ten youngsters from various Budgam villages as Special Police Officers.

Raid Uncovers Forged Official Documents

Investigators traced the operation to advocate Jahangir Ahmad Dar. A sweep of his rented flat in Nanak Nagar, Jammu, uncovered a trove of counterfeit government orders, official‑looking stamps, 12 ATM cards, blank bank letterheads, identity proofs and passport‑visa paperwork.

A diary found at the premises appears to log monetary transactions. Police are analysing its entries to map the cash flow and pinpoint possible accomplices.

Victims Lured With Employment and Benefit Promises

Preliminary findings suggest the racket may have been active since 2019. Authorities estimate the total loss to be close to Rs 2 crore, though the investigation is still underway.

Several complaints mention payments of Rs 2.3 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 27 lakh to the fraudsters. The conspirators reportedly persuaded victims by promising government jobs, SPO recruitment, scheme approvals, subsidies and foreign travel.

The scheme began with a modest upfront fee. Once trust was established, the crooks extracted increasingly larger sums, targeting economically vulnerable sections, especially daily‑wage laborers.

WhatsApp ‘View Once’ Leveraged for Fake Docs

Police discovered that many forged documents were transmitted via WhatsApp’s ‘View Once’ feature, which erases the media after a single view. Investigators are probing whether this method was chosen to make the counterfeit files harder to retain or trace.

Passport and Visa Papers Hint at an International Angle

The seizure of passport‑ and visa‑related materials adds another dimension to the case. Authorities are now trying to determine if the ring had overseas contacts or if promises of foreign admission and travel were part of the same deception.

Investigators are scrutinising the confiscated documents, financial records and other evidence to reconstruct the full architecture of the alleged operation.

Possibility of Further Arrests

Police believe the two detainees – advocate Jahangir Ahmad Dar and JKPF chairman Firdous Nabi – may be linked to a wider conspiracy. Their interrogations aim to reveal additional participants, the total amount siphoned, the number of victims and the extent of forged government paperwork used.

As the probe progresses, officials caution that more arrests are likely once deeper details of the network surface.