CBI Secures 14-Year Sentences for Coimbatore Job Scam Defendants
Synopsis
In a landmark ruling, a CBI Court has sentenced six individuals involved in the Coimbatore overseas job scam, with prison terms ranging from 14 to four years, along with hefty fines. This case highlights the significant impact of fraudulent job placement schemes.
Key Takeaways
14-year prison terms for five defendants in a job scam.
Victims lost nearly Rs 6 crore to fraudulent job offers.
Confiscated assets to aid compensation for victims.
Case highlights the need for vigilance in job placement.
CBI conducted the investigation after a court order .
Coimbatore, March 28 (NationPress) A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court has sentenced six individuals involved in the Coimbatore overseas job scam to prison terms ranging from 14 years to four years, alongside substantial fines, as confirmed by an official on Saturday.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate in Coimbatore convicted and sentenced five private individuals — Pulliyil Cheriyan (the Managing Director of the company), Francis Arun, Asha Sharlet, and Santosh William — to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a total fine of Rs 54 lakh, as stated by the CBI.
Preetha Kumari, another accused, received a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence along with a Rs 2 lakh fine.
These individuals were found guilty of defrauding approximately 600 job seekers by collecting nearly Rs 6 crore for bogus placements in the UK and Cyprus, according to the CBI.
The CBI Special Court also mandated the confiscation of their assets and the sale of 448 grams of gold ornaments seized during the investigation, which will serve as compensation for the scam's victims.
The case, initially registered by the Kattoor police in Coimbatore, was transferred to the CBI in 2011 under the orders of the Madras High Court.
Following this, the CBI officially registered the case on March 18, 2011, against the eight defendants, who were apprehended in Mumbai.
The accused had allegedly established a company named Yanbo Associates in Gandhipuram in 2005.
They purportedly provided falsified foreign employment permits and charged fees ranging from Rs 80,000 to Rs 3 lakh per person during 2005, only to abruptly cease operations thereafter.
The firm primarily attracted young professionals and laborers with promises of lucrative job opportunities in the UK and Cyprus, according to the CBI.
Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the CBI submitted a charge sheet on March 21, 2012, against the accused.
The CBI Special Court delivered its verdict after a 14-year trial, convicting and sentencing the defendants.
During the trial, defendants Narayanan Ramesh Babu, V.N. Shine, and Benjamin William Sawer passed away, leading to the abatement of charges against them, as noted by the CBI.
In its judgment, the CBI Special Court also mandated the payment of Rs 1.48 crore in compensation to the victims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Coimbatore overseas job scam?
The Coimbatore overseas job scam involved a group of individuals who defrauded job seekers by promising placements in the UK and Cyprus and collecting substantial fees for services that were never rendered.
What sentences were handed down to the accused?
The CBI Court sentenced five individuals to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and one individual to four years, along with fines totaling Rs 54 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively.
How many victims were affected by the scam?
Approximately 600 job aspirants were defrauded in this scam, collectively losing around Rs 6 crore.
What actions were taken against the assets of the accused?
The CBI Special Court ordered the confiscation of the accused's properties and the sale of 448 grams of gold ornaments seized during the investigation to provide compensation to the victims.
When was the case initially registered?
The case was initially registered by the Kattoor police in Coimbatore and was handed over to the CBI in 2011 on the orders of the Madras High Court.
