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

Fake SPO Appointment Triggered the Probe

The case began when a resident filed a complaint at Beerwah police station on 17 August 2026, alleging that he had paid roughly Rs 3 lakh after being assured of an SPO appointment. In return he received a document that appeared to be an appointment and recommendation letter purportedly issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

"The letter bore the name of the then Union Home Secretary and was addressed to the Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police, claiming recruitment of ten youths from Budgam villages as Special Police Officers," the complaint read.

Raids Reveal a Trove of Counterfeit Official Papers

Investigators traced the scheme 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 found at the premises appears to log the financial transactions linked to the racket. Police are analysing its entries to map the money trail and to identify any additional conspirators.

Victims Lured with Job and Benefit Promises

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

  • Several complaints cite payments of Rs 2.3 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 27 lakh to the fraudsters.
  • The perpetrators promised government employment, SPO recruitment, scheme approvals, subsidies and overseas travel.
  • The scheme started with a modest upfront fee, escalating to larger sums once the victims’ trust was secured.
  • Economically vulnerable groups, especially daily‑wage labourers, were deliberately targeted.

WhatsApp ‘View Once’ Weaponised for Fake Documents

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

Passport and Visa Files Suggest an International Angle

The seizure of passport‑ and visa‑related paperwork adds another layer to the case. Authorities are now examining whether the network had contacts abroad or if promises of foreign admission and travel were integral to the fraud.

Scope for Additional Arrests

Police believe the two men already in custody – advocate Jahangir Ahmad Dar and JKPF chairman Firdous Nabi – may be part of a larger conspiracy. Their interrogations aim to uncover further participants, the total amount siphoned, the number of victims and the breadth of forged government documentation employed.

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