A 29-year-old man from Vasai, Palghar district, was allegedly duped of Rs 7 lakh by a fraudster promising a high-paying job in the UK, police said on Saturday. The victim, Jubin Justin Simon, filed a complaint with Achole police against Silvester Michal Fernandes, a 47-year-old Vasai resident, who is now under investigation.

According to the police, Fernandes lured Simon with the promise of a “lucrative” position at a British real estate firm. Between January 2024 and July 2025, Simon paid Rs 7 lakh in multiple instalments, expecting job arrangements. Despite persistent follow-ups, Fernandes neither provided an offer letter nor refunded the money, prompting Simon to realize he had been deceived.

On Thursday, Simon lodged a complaint, leading to an FIR against Fernandes under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating. “We are actively investigating to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount,” an Achole police official stated. This case echoes a similar scam in Kundapura, where a man lost over Rs 16 lakh to a fraudulent UK job visa promise, highlighting the growing menace of overseas job frauds.

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