Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir police have announced the collapse of an elaborate scam that enticed victims with promises of government jobs, Special Police Officer (SPO) postings, official clearances and overseas travel opportunities.

Spurious SPO Appointment Complaint

The probe was triggered when a resident filed a complaint at Beerwah police station on 17 August 2026. He alleged that, after paying roughly Rs 3 lakh, he received what appeared to be an appointment and recommendation letter allegedly issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Verification showed that the document carried the signature of the former Union Home Secretary and was addressed to the Jammu & Kashmir Director General of Police, purportedly confirming the recruitment of ten youths from various Budgam villages as Special Police Officers.

Raid Uncovers Bogus Official Papers

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

A diary found at the premises appears to record cash movements. Police are analysing its entries to map the money trail and identify possible links to other conspirators.

Victims Lured by Job and Benefit Promises

Preliminary findings suggest the racket has been active since 2019. Authorities estimate the fraud could involve close to Rs 2 crore, although 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 accused reportedly enticed victims with assurances of government employment, SPO recruitment, scheme approvals, subsidies and foreign travel.

The scheme began with a modest upfront fee. Once trust was gained, the perpetrators demanded ever‑larger sums, targeting economically vulnerable groups, especially daily‑wage laborers.

WhatsApp ‘View Once’ Leveraged for Fake Documents

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

Passport and Visa Forgeries Hint at an 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 were part of the same deception.

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

Possibility of Additional 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 reveal further 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 the investigation uncovers deeper layers of the network.