Kochi job fraud case: Doctor allegedly lured victims with supermarket job offers; mostly targeted women

Kochi: A young doctor arrested Saturday in Kochi for allegedly defrauding several people, mostly women, had promised overseas jobs in supermarkets and social work roles across multiple countries.

The suspect, Karthika Pradeep, a native of Pathanamthitta and owner of Take Off Overseas Educational Consultancy near Pulleppady, is accused of collecting large sums of money from job seekers under the pretence of securing overseas employment.

According to the police, she collected lakhs of rupees from multiple job aspirants by offering employment opportunities abroad, particularly in countries like the UK, Australia, Germany, and Ukraine. The agency claimed to offer positions in supermarkets and as social workers, among others.

Karthika was arrested by the Ernakulam Central Police in connection with a case filed by a woman from Thrissur, who alleged that she was cheated of ₹5.23 lakh after being promised a job as a social worker in the UK. The money was paid in multiple transactions via bank transfers and UPI payments.

Police said Karthika had introduced herself as a doctor and gained the trust of her victims. Her agency operated by advertising through social media and large roadside billboards.

It was found that most victims were women, and the amounts collected ranged from ₹3 lakh to ₹8 lakh. The police suspect the money was used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Karthika had completed MBBS studies abroad and had worked at a few hospitals. She went into hiding following the registration of the fraud case and was finally arrested in Kozhikode on Thursday night.

Apart from the case in Ernakulam Central Station, additional cases have been registered against her in Kozhikode, Vadakara, and Thrissur. A detailed police investigation is underway.