Lucknow: Over 250 youths were allegedly duped of Rs 1.5 crore by a fraudulent Gonda-based firm offering jobs in Russia.The firm lured victims through advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. Police at Kotwali station on Saturday registered an FIR against six accused, including main operator Vivek Kumar of Fatehpur, agents Zulfikar, Aryan Kumar Raj of Jhansi, and three locals—Manisha, Sarika and Deepak. The case was lodged following a complaint by one Awadhesh Kumar Pandey, officials said. Additional superintendent of police (east) Manoj Kumar Rawat said the accused operated a firm named “Multi Immigration Counselling” from Harsh Tower in Gonda. They claimed to have a contract with a Russia-based construction company that was offering jobs of drivers, technicians, electricians and helpers. The firm promised salaries ranging from 79,000 to 1 lakh Russian Ruble. Victims were asked to submit documents and sign agreements on Rs 50 stamp papers for passport and visa processing. Each applicant paid registration fees, collectively amounting to about Rs 1.5 crore. Several victims from districts like Ayodhya, Shravasti, Barabanki, Bahraich, Ballia, Gorakhpur and Kushinagar reached Delhi on Feb 23 after being issued tickets for Russia. However, upon arrival at the airport on Feb 24, they were informed that their tickets were cancelled by the booking agent. When they returned to the Gonda office, they found it locked, prompting them to approach police. Police have so far questioned two female employees and the building owner. Meanwhile, victims, led by Aam Aadmi Party district president Ajay Kumar Mishra, staged a sit-in outside the district magistrate’s residence in Gonda, alleging inadequate police action.
