In a bold move against pandemic-era profiteering, Jammu and Kashmir’s Economic Offences Wing has slapped a fraud FIR on two Srinagar locals for orchestrating a medical supply swindle worth crores. The duo’s scheme preyed on the chaos of COVID-19, exploiting desperate needs for supplies.
According to the complaint, the accused masqueraded as authorized representatives from the J&K administration’s supply division. They convinced departments to route payments to sham bank accounts, all while using forged email addresses to impersonate genuine vendors from Peer Bagh and Sanat Nagar areas.
Early probes paint a picture of calculated greed: Rs 27 lakh was already pocketed from a government entity, with ambitions to loot Rs 2.24 crore more from a medical institution. The EOW has invoked stringent IPC sections for cheating, forgery, and conspiracy, plus IT Act provisions for online fraud.
Authorities emphasize that prima facie evidence is compelling, prompting immediate action. The investigation promises to peel back layers of this deceit, potentially implicating others in the network.
As Jammu and Kashmir battles residual pandemic fallout, such cases highlight the urgency of vigilance in public procurement. The EOW’s swift response signals zero tolerance for those who turned a health crisis into personal windfalls, restoring faith in governance.