Bengaluru: A 25-year-old job aspirant hoping to join Indian Air Force (IAF) was duped of his gold chain by a man, who posed as an air force officer and promised to help him secure a job.According to the complaint, the victim, Sujan RK of Pattegarhpalya, north Bengaluru, received a call from a relative on the morning of Sept 7, informing him about an IAF job vacancy and sharing the contact number of one Rao Pawar, who claimed to be an IAF officer. When Sujan contacted Pawar, he was asked to meet him near a State Bank of India ATM kiosk at Shettihalli Cross around 10am. Sujan reached the spot, following which Pawar collected his documents for the job application and asked him to accompany him to Canara Bank near Gangammanagudi.Pawar then allegedly took Sujan’s gold chain, claiming that gold ornaments were not permitted inside an IAF campus and that it had to be deposited at the bank for safekeeping. He allegedly told Sujan that the locker belonged to IAF and that he could collect the chain after his interview. Convinced by the claim, Sujan handed over the chain.Pawar then asked Sujan to get a photocopy of his Aadhaar card. However, when Sujan came back to the bank around 10.55am, Pawar had disappeared. His mobile phone was also switched off. Realising that he had been duped, Sujan approached police.A case has been registered under BNS Section 318 (cheating). Police are verifying CCTV footage and checking how Sujan’s relative obtained Pawar’s contact number. Police have advised job aspirants not to trust strangers who offer jobs or claim to have influence in govt or defence establishments.
