2 booked for cheating Rs 86.7 lakh on pretext of Australian job visa

GANGOLLI: A woman from Kundapur and four others were allegedly cheated of Rs 86.7 lakh by a Bengaluru-based persons who promised to secure employment visas to Australia. Gangolli Police registered a case in this regard.According to the complaint filed by Teena Nazareth, 43, of Gujjadi village, Kundapur, the accused Prakruthi and Elton Rebiero, who run a school in Bengaluru, visited Gangolli in April 2024. During their visit, they allegedly assured her that they would arrange a work visa for Australia.Believing their promise, Teena allegedly transferred Rs 34 lakh to the accused between April and Sept 5, 2024. The accused reportedly collected Rs 8 lakh from Johnson Fernandes, Rs 6.8 lakh from Leeta Pinto, Rs 19.5 lakh from Sophia Pinto, and Rs 18 lakh from Reena Praveen Noronha, known to the complainant, after offering them similar visa assurances.In total, the accused allegedly collected Rs 86.70 lakh in instalments, it is alleged. However, they failed to arrange the promised job visas and did not return the money, leading to accusations of cheating.Based on the complaint, Gangolli Police registered a case under Sections 316(2), 318(2), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Investigation is ongoing.