A Nigerian national has been arrested in the city for allegedly deceiving a Kerala-based man with an executive’s job at a reputed hotel in UK, claiming to be associated with the British Deputy High Commission
A Nigerian national has been arrested in the city for allegedly deceiving a Kerala-based man with an executive’s job at a reputed hotel in UK, claiming to be associated with the British Deputy High Commission. The accused, identified as Chima John Emmanuel, impersonated as one Peter Beckingham. He was tracked down at Nallasopara on Monday.
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Jaywant Darekar, an officer with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Mumbai Police, said, “The accused was caught from Nallasopara after analysis of his phone call records indicated he was holed up there. He was produced before a court, which remanded him in police custody till Saturday.”
Investigation revealed that Peter Beckingham’s name, who was the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, was misused by the accused. “Emmanuel used to advertise fictitious job opportunities with reputed UK hotels on websites, introducing himself as Peter Beckingham,” said the officer.
After receiving resumes from job seekers, the accused used to send offer letters on false and fabricated letterheads. He then contacted the job seekers, asking them to deposit certain amounts of cash in bank accounts opened with fake names in various states, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
In this case, the victim, Abhilash Tuttil (26), was offered a General Manager’s job in a posh hotel in the UK. “After receiving an offer letter and a visa processing form, Tuttil deposited R36,500 in a bank at Bandra last month.” The cash was immediately withdrawn in two different transactions, and the victim was again asked to deposit Rs 49,000, saying that it would be used to check his criminal background, Darekar said.
“Sensing suspicion, the victim came to Mumbai and enquired with British mission about Peter Beckingham. The authorities there claimed that Beckingham used to work earlier and that the Commission does not make any such job offers,” the officer added.
Realising that he had been cheated, the victim subsequently approached the EOW, which registered the complaint on September 26. “The accused was arrested and we suspect the involvement of more people in the racket,” the officer said.
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