The Navi Mumbai Job Scam has exposed a fraudulent merchant navy recruitment racket where a father–son duo allegedly cheated several youths of ₹20.40 lakh. Police say the accused operated a company from CBD Belapur and promised placements on international shipping vessels. Victims were asked to pay money for recruitment processing, documentation and training arrangements. However, the promised jobs never materialised, prompting complaints and a police investigation. Authorities have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the accused while examining financial records to identify additional victims in the recruitment fraud.

Navi Mumbai Job Scam: Father–Son Merchant Navy Recruitment Racket Cheats Youths of ₹20.40 Lakh, Police Launch Manhunt

A Navi Mumbai job scam has surfaced where a father–son duo allegedly cheated several youths of ₹20.40 lakh by promising merchant navy jobs through a fake recruitment company. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the accused.

The job scam involving fake merchant navy recruitment has exposed how desperate job seekers are being exploited by fraudulent agencies promising overseas maritime careers.

Police say a father and son allegedly cheated multiple youths of ₹20.40 lakh by offering fake employment opportunities in the merchant navy and international shipping sector.

The accused allegedly operated from an office in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, where they convinced job aspirants that they could secure placements on foreign vessels.

Investigators say the scheme targeted educated youths seeking maritime careers abroad, particularly those hoping to work on cargo ships and international commercial fleets.

Authorities confirmed that the accused collected money under the pretext of recruitment processing fees, training arrangements and documentation required for international shipping jobs.

However, once payments were made, the promised placements never materialised, raising suspicion among the victims who later approached police.

Officials believe the fraud may involve more victims as investigators continue examining financial transactions and recruitment records linked to the case.

The incident highlights growing concerns about fraudulent overseas job placement agencies operating in major Indian cities.

Experts say the maritime industry attracts thousands of young applicants every year, making it a frequent target for recruitment scams.

Merchant Navy Recruitment Fraud Network Operated from CBD Belapur Office

According to police officials, the accused have been identified as Vaibhav Sanjay Singh, aged 32, and his father Sanjay Singh, aged 64.

Investigators say the duo operated a company named SSS Nautical Marine Private Limited, which functioned from the Raheja Arcade building in CBD Sector 11.

The office was reportedly opened nearly six months before the complaints were filed.

Police sources indicate that the accused collected personal information from aspiring merchant navy candidates and assured them of jobs aboard foreign vessels.

These promises included employment on ships operating in international routes and contracts with overseas shipping companies.

Victims were told that the company had strong connections with global shipping firms and could arrange placements quickly.

One of the complainants, Nahush Namdev Neugre, aged 23 from Diva, paid ₹1 lakh after being promised a job in the merchant navy.

When he repeatedly visited the office seeking updates about his placement, he discovered that several other candidates had also paid money for similar promises.

Investigators say many victims realised the fraud only after months passed without any confirmation of employment.

By the time suspicions grew stronger, the accused had already stopped responding to calls and emails.

Victims from Multiple Cities Targeted in Overseas Shipping Job Scam

Police investigations revealed that the alleged fraud extended beyond Navi Mumbai and targeted job seekers from several regions.

One victim, Ishwarsingh Kathayat from Uttarakhand, reportedly paid ₹7.50 lakh after being promised a merchant navy position in Norway.

Another victim, Sandeep Chavan from Digha in Navi Mumbai, paid ₹69,800 believing that the recruitment process was legitimate.

Police also recorded complaints from Mohammad Kafeel Ansari from Mumbra, who paid ₹70,000 for a maritime job opportunity.

Similarly, Danish Shafik Khan from Uttar Pradesh reportedly transferred ₹50,000 after being promised employment on a ship operating in the Maldives.

Authorities say these payments were collected over several months through direct transactions and bank transfers.

Investigators believe the recruitment office was used primarily to create credibility and reassure victims that the company was legitimate.

Officials also discovered that the accused allegedly borrowed ₹10 lakh from Shubham Darekar, a young employee working at their office.

Police suspect that the borrowed amount may also have been used as part of the fraudulent financial operations linked to the recruitment racket.

Affidavit Promise, Then Sudden Disappearance of the Accused

As victims began demanding refunds after failing to receive jobs, the accused reportedly attempted to calm the situation.

Police say Sanjay Singh executed an affidavit on stamp paper on November 21, 2025, promising that he would repay the victims by selling his ancestral property.

This written assurance reportedly convinced some victims to temporarily withdraw complaints and wait for repayment.

However, investigators say the promise turned out to be another attempt to delay action.

Shortly after signing the affidavit, the accused allegedly locked the office premises and disappeared.

When victims returned to the recruitment office, they found it shut and the accused unreachable.

Police believe the duo deliberately shut operations after collecting large sums of money from multiple job seekers.

Authorities suspect the accused may have planned their escape in advance once complaints started increasing.

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Police Investigation into Overseas Job Recruitment Fraud

Following the complaints, CBD Police Station in Navi Mumbai registered a cheating case against the accused.

The case has been filed under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Police officials say preliminary investigations suggest that the accused systematically targeted youths hoping to secure high paying maritime jobs.

Authorities are currently verifying bank accounts, financial records and digital communication used during the recruitment process.

Investigators are also examining whether the accused were linked to other fraudulent job placement networks.

Police sources indicate that the suspects are originally from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and were residing in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai before fleeing.

Search teams have been deployed to track the accused, and officials believe more victims may come forward as the investigation progresses.

Growing Concern Over Fake Overseas Job Recruitment Agencies

Experts say the case reflects a broader pattern of overseas job recruitment scams that exploit unemployed or underemployed youths.

India’s maritime sector attracts thousands of applicants every year due to the promise of international travel and high salaries.

However, fraudsters often misuse this demand by creating fake recruitment companies and collecting large registration or training fees.

Investigators warn that legitimate shipping companies rarely demand large upfront payments for recruitment.

The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team has previously documented similar cases where fake maritime recruitment agencies targeted job seekers across India.

Authorities advise candidates to verify whether recruitment agencies are authorised by the Directorate General of Shipping, the regulatory body governing maritime employment.

Experts also recommend confirming employment offers directly with shipping companies before transferring money to recruitment agents.

The Navi Mumbai merchant navy job scam serves as a reminder that transparency and verification remain essential safeguards for young job seekers entering specialised industries.

Police have urged victims of similar frauds to report the incidents promptly so that authorities can identify larger networks involved in recruitment scams.

Readers Appeal:

If you have information about job scams or recruitment fraud, contact Unmesh Gujarathi, senior journalist in Mumbai, at 9322755098. Your information can help protect vulnerable job seekers.