Panchkula, April 24: Chandimandir police have booked two men from Dera Bassi for allegedly cheating four Barwala residents of ₹18 lakh under the guise of securing jobs in Russia.
According to police, the accused—identified as Mohinder Singh and Bablu—promised overseas employment but instead arranged short-term tourist visas for the victims, who returned jobless and later detained by Russian authorities.
Neeraj, the complainant, told police that he and three others—Nishant Rana, Mandeep, and Abhay Pratap—were introduced to Mohinder through Bablu, an acquaintance. “Mohinder claimed he could get us work permits for Russia,” Neeraj said. “He told us we’d get the visas in 15 to 20 days.”
In March 2024, the group was called to Bablu’s village, where Mohinder allegedly collected their passports and documents. Each was asked to pay ₹5 lakh, with ₹4.5 lakh paid upfront. “We were told to pay the remaining ₹2 lakh after reaching Russia,” Neeraj said.
But upon arrival, the promised jobs were nowhere in sight. The group managed to find temporary work, only to be fired within two days. They were then detained by local police and learned their visas were valid for just 10 days and not for employment.
After returning to India, the victims attempted to contact both Mohinder and Bablu, but the accused had gone incommunicado.
The first complaint was lodged at the Barwala police post on July 31, 2024, but no action followed.
A subsequent complaint was submitted to the deputy commissioner of police on January 8 this year.
Following an investigation, police at Chandimandir registered a case under sections of fraud, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and the Immigration Act.
No arrests have been made yet.
Police said efforts are ongoing to trace the accused.
