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

Complaint Over Bogus SPO Appointment Triggers Probe

The case opened after a resident filed a grievance at the Beerwah police station on 17 August 2026. He alleged that he had handed over roughly Rs 3 lakh after being assured of an SPO posting, only to receive a fabricated appointment and recommendation letter that appeared to originate from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Verification showed the document 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 youths from various Budgam villages as Special Police Officers.

Search Yields a Trove of Counterfeit Official Documents

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

A diary recovered at the scene appears to log financial transactions. Police are scrutinising its entries to map money flows and identify possible links to additional conspirators.

Victims Lured with Promises of Jobs and Benefits

Preliminary findings suggest the racket has been active since 2019. Authorities estimate the scam could involve close to Rs 2 crore, though the investigation is ongoing.

Numerous complaints cite payments of Rs 2.3 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 27 lakh to the fraudsters. The perpetrators enticed victims by promising government employment, SPO recruitment, scheme approvals, subsidies and overseas travel.

The scheme began with a modest upfront fee; once trust was established, larger sums were demanded. Evidence points to economically vulnerable groups, including daily‑wage laborers, being deliberately targeted.

WhatsApp ‘View Once’ Feature Used to Share Forged Files

Police say many of the counterfeit documents were sent via WhatsApp’s ‘View Once’ mode, which makes media disappear after a single view. Investigators are probing whether this technique was employed to make the forged files harder to retain or trace.

Passport and Visa Documents Hint at an International Dimension

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

Investigators are analysing the seized paperwork, financial records and other evidence to reconstruct the full architecture of the alleged operation.

Potential for Further Arrests

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

Officials caution that more arrests are expected as the investigation delves deeper into the network’s structure.