Pune: A city resident has submitted a complaint to the police commissioner on Wednesday, alleging that three individuals cheated him of nearly Rs19 lakh with the promise of securing a job in PMC.The complainant said the trio provided him with allegedly forged appointment-related documents, carrying fake signatures and seals of civic officials.Complainant Ammar Abdullah Sheikh (32), a resident of Nana Peth, alleged that the three accused approached him in 2023, claiming they could arrange a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) job for him through contacts in the administration.Sheikh said the accused allegedly demanded money at different stages of the purported recruitment process and assured him that the appointment procedure was progressing within the civic body. The complainant alleged that he paid around Rs19 lakh over several months through bank transfers, demand drafts and cash transactions.He further said that the accused later handed over an appointment-related document purportedly linked to PMC recruitment. However, after verifying the contents and related details, he realised that the document, signatures and seals were fabricated.When contacted, PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram told TOI, “The incident pertains to 2023, before I took charge. A complaint has been submitted to the police and they should conduct a thorough investigation and ensure strict action against the accused. PMC will provide all possible support to the probe.”Advocate Vijay Thombre, who accompanied Sheikh, said, “This is a meticulously planned scam, which is not possible without involvement from insiders. Sheikh was not only given a fake appointment letter, but was also provided training and asked to submit a DD of Rs41,700 in favour of PMC’s primary education department. We have submitted a complaint to the CP, but could not meet him.”TOI tried contacting CP Amitesh Kumar for comment, but he was unavailable.RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar alleged that a job scam was operating across Pune district. He said, “Ideally, PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) officials should lodge a complaint as signatures of their office-bearers have allegedly been forged in this case. Many youths are being cheated and losing money. If investigated properly, I believe this will turn out to be a broader scam of over Rs200 crore.”
