Kochi: Karthika Pradeep, the prime accused in a major employment scam case, is suspected to have links with quotation gangs, according to police. Officers stated that she had links with individuals implicated in the KAPPA (Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act) case and used the accused persons to threaten several of her clients.

Karthika is said to have used members of such gangs to intimidate victims who had paid her money for overseas jobs but did not receive placements and later demanded refunds. Police sources indicate that this points to the possibility of more individuals being involved in the case. Audio clips in which Karthika was allegedly heard threatening victims had earlier gone viral on social media.

Instagram influencer and dubious MBBS degree

Karthika Pradeep, who has over 13,000 followers on Instagram, frequently shared new photos on the platform. Questions have now emerged about her MBBS qualification. Though she claimed to have completed her medical degree in Ukraine, doubts remain about the authenticity of this claim. Sources suggest that while she may have completed her degree there, she had not obtained the necessary qualifications to practise medicine in India. There are also unverified reports that she worked in hospitals abroad.

Hailing from Pathanamthitta, Karthika owned ‘Take Off Overseas Educational Consultancy’ located near Pullepady in Kochi. She was arrested the other day by the Ernakulam Central Police following complaints that she defrauded several people, including women, by promising them jobs abroad in exchange for money.

The arrest came in connection with a case involving a woman from Thrissur, who was promised a social worker position in the UK. Karthika allegedly extracted Rs 5.23 lakh from the woman over multiple transactions, both via bank transfers and online UPI payments. When the promised job failed to materialise, the victim realised she had been cheated and filed a police complaint.

‘Take Off Overseas’ advertised job opportunities in countries like Australia, Germany, the UK and Ukraine. These offers were promoted extensively through social media platforms and large roadside billboards.

The agency’s main pitch involved job openings in supermarkets abroad, with additional offers including roles such as social workers. Police said the accused collected sums ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 8 lakh from each candidate. A majority of the victims were women. It is also reported that the money Karthika collected was used to fund a lavish lifestyle, and her bank accounts are currently under scrutiny.

Following the registration of the financial fraud case, Karthika had gone into hiding and was apprehended by Ernakulam Central Police from Kozhikode. Apart from Ernakulam Central, she also faces cases at police stations in Kozhikode, Vadakara and Thrissur. Since her arrest, more victims have come forward with fresh complaints.