The Mangaluru City Police have decided to apply the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) against the prime accused in a massive overseas job visa scam.
City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said the Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) arrested the main suspect who, along with associates, allegedly defrauded over 300 people of more than ₹4 crore by promising lucrative employment abroad.
The accused, hailing from Maharashtra, have two separate cases registered against them—one at Mangaluru North Police Station and another at Navi Mumbai Police Station. Citing these multiple offences, the commissioner explained that KCOCA allows authorities to pursue tougher measures, including making it more difficult for the accused to secure bail.
The CCB had earlier apprehended three individuals linked to the racket: Masiulla Atiulla Khan from Mumbai, Dil Shaad Abdul Sathar Khan from Navi Mumbai, and Sahukari Kishore Kumar alias Anil Patel from Dombivli, Thane.
Investigators revealed the group set up a front company, Hireglow Elegant Overseas International (OPC) Private Limited, operating from Bendoorwell in Mangaluru. They lured job seekers through newspaper ads and false assurances of guaranteed visas and employment. Victims were charged substantial fees but never received promised jobs.
Commissioner Reddy cautioned habitual offenders that the police would not hesitate to use KCOCA provisions to deter organised fraud and exploitation.