Srinagar: The police of Jammu and Kashmir announced that they have dismantled a complex fraud operation that enticed victims with assurances of government employment, Special Police Officer (SPO) postings, official clearances and overseas travel packages.

Complaint Over a Bogus SPO Appointment

The investigation was launched after a resident lodged a complaint at Beerwah police station on 17 August 2026, claiming he had paid about Rs 3 lakh in return for a promised SPO posting. He subsequently received a document that resembled an appointment and recommendation letter allegedly issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Verification revealed that the paper bore the name of the then Union Home Secretary and was addressed to the Director General of Police, Jammu & Kashmir, purportedly confirming the recruitment of ten youths from various Budgam villages as Special Police Officers.

Search Uncovers Counterfeit Official Papers

The trail led investigators to advocate Jahangir Ahmad Dar. A raid on his rented flat in Nanak Nagar, Jammu, produced a stash of forged government orders, official‑looking stamps, 12 ATM cards, blank bank letterheads, identity proofs and passport‑visa documentation.

A diary recovered at the premises appears to record financial transactions. Police are analysing its entries to map the money flow and to pinpoint possible links to additional conspirators.

Victims Lured with Job and Benefit Promises

Pre‑liminary findings suggest the racket may have been active since 2019. Authorities estimate the total value of the scam to be around Rs 2 crore, although the investigation is still underway.

Multiple complaints cite payments of Rs 2.3 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 27 lakh to the fraudsters. The accused allegedly attracted victims by promising government jobs, SPO recruitment, scheme approvals, subsidies and foreign travel opportunities.

The scheme began with a modest upfront fee. Once trust was gained, the perpetrators extracted progressively larger sums, targeting economically vulnerable groups, including daily‑wage labourers.

WhatsApp ‘View Once’ Feature Used for Fake Documents

Police report that many of the counterfeit files were sent through WhatsApp’s ‘View Once’ function, which causes media to disappear after a single view. Investigators are probing whether this method was chosen to make the forged documents harder to retain or trace.

Passport and Visa Papers Suggest International Angle

The seizure of passport‑ and visa‑related material adds another dimension to the case. Authorities are now examining whether the network had contacts abroad or if promises of overseas admission and travel formed part of the same fraudulent scheme.

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

Possibility of Further Arrests

Police believe the two individuals already in custody – advocate Jahangir Ahmad Dar and JKPF chairman Firdous Nabi – may be linked to a wider conspiracy. Their interrogations aim to uncover additional participants, the total amount collected, the number of victims and the extent of forged government documentation employed.

Officials caution that more arrests are likely as deeper details of the network emerge.