Taken for a ride with a job offer in London hotel

A 23-year-old youth, who fell prey to an online job offer in olx.in, was allegedly cheated of Rs4.80 lakh. The victim, Kalai Ayyanar, a resident of DN Nagar, came across an advertisement on the website around six months back about a job in Hilton Hotels, London.

"I was working in a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala at that time. I applied for this job, sent my certificates and CV via email. And I received an offer letter after two days," said Ayyanar, who has been working in an Andheri restaurant for the last three months.

Following this, Ayyanar was mailed the number of a Mumbai-based agent, who was supposed to issue him visa and other required assistance. "He claimed to be from the British Consulate. I was asked to pay Rs35,000 for the visa via online banking. He refused to meet me quoting security reasons," said Ayyanar.

Following this, he received a call from London asking for money to clear forms like Anti Terrorism Certificate, police clearance, travel allowance, etc. In the next three months, Ayyanar paid Rs 4.80 lakh. He also visited Mumbai three months ago to deposit his passport with a person he met at Vashi railway station to get his visa.

About a month ago, he received a letter stating all formalities had been completed. He was told he could board the flight the same week and that his passport, visa and ticket would be handed over a few hours before the flight.

"Then I received another call saying my flight had been cancelled and that I would have to deposit Rs 5,000 to board another flight. I now realised I was being fooled, and told the caller to return my money and passport. He then demanded more money for returning my passport," said Ayyanar.

He approached DN Nagar police on Monday and filed a complaint. "We have received the complaint. We will register the case soon," said Rajednra Chawan, senior PI, DN Nagar police.

"I am from a lower middle class family and had to sell land and jewellery to pay the money," said Ayyanar.