Nagpur: A 35-year-old postal department employee was allegedly cheated of ₹16 lakh after being falsely promised that his wife would be appointed as a teacher. Based on his complaint, Sakkardara Police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against a woman.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Sagar Ghanshyam Kurekar (35), a resident of Abhinav Society near Payal NIT Ground in Manish Nagar and an employee of the Postal Department, was approached by the accused, Poonam Pravin Somkuwar, a resident of Kamal Chowk, Balabhau Peth under Pachpaoli police station limits.

Police said that between April 1, 2024, and August 13, 2024, the accused allegedly assured the complainant that she could secure a teacher’s job for his wife, Pratibha Sagar Kurekar, at a school. Believing the assurance, the complainant paid the accused ₹16 lakh on different occasions through cash and PhonePe transactions.

However, on August 13, 2024, the complainant and his wife visited Indira Primary School, Kamptee, to verify the appointment. During their meeting with the school’s director, Laxmi Barbate, they were informed that there were no vacancies for teachers and that all teacher recruitments in the school were conducted only through the Pavitra recruitment portal, not through any private intermediary.

Realising they had been deceived, the complainant contacted the accused, who allegedly gave evasive replies and failed to return the money.

Following the complaint, Sakkardara Police registered an FIR on August 6, 2026, under Sections 316(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The accused has not been arrested so far. Police have launched an investigation into the financial transactions and the alleged job fraud.

The case serves as another reminder for job seekers to verify recruitment claims through official channels and avoid paying money to individuals promising government or private employment outside the prescribed selection process.