Police Investigate Rs 26 Lakh Job Fraud Targeting Pharma Executive
Bengaluru police have booked four individuals after a senior pharmaceutical manager was defrauded of Rs 26 lakh under the guise of securing a government post. The suspects allegedly leveraged fake political connections and KPSC associations to orchestrate the scam.
The Mechanics of the Appointment Racket
Vidhana Soudha police have launched an investigation into a sophisticated employment scam targeting high-level professionals. A senior manager at a Whitefield-based pharmaceutical firm reported losing Rs 26 lakh to a group promising a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) position within the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. The suspects allegedly exploited the victim's trust by claims of deep-seated influence within the state bureaucracy.
Allegations of Bureaucratic Influence
The primary suspect, identified as Santosh Hosamani, reportedly initiated contact with the victim in December 2024. Posing as an employee of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), Hosamani claimed he possessed high-level access to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). The prosecution alleges that the following methods were used to maintain the deception:
- Hosamani initially demanded a total of Rs 50 lakh to facilitate the appointment.
- The victim paid Rs 26 lakh in various installments over several months.
- An accomplice identified as Rao reportedly placed calls from a landline purportedly linked to the KPSC office to verify the 'pending' appointment.
Legal Action and Investigation
The complainant approached law enforcement after Hosamani ceased communication and no official government order was issued. The Vidhana Soudha police have formally registered a case naming four suspects: Santosh Hosamani, Rao, Mahesh Kumar, and Basavaraj. Authorities have initiated a summons for the accused and are currently tracing the financial transactions related to the alleged fraud. The case highlights persistent risks regarding fraudulent recruitment syndicates claiming to control government hiring processes.
Source: The Hindu — National
