KOCHI: Nurses complain about fraud after giving them fake promises of employment in Dubai’s hospitals. Police have arrested the owner of ‘take-off’ recruitment agency in Ernakulam, Firoz Khan from his home in Nettoor on the written complaint of a group of nurses. Police have informed that he has bagged more than Rs 2.35 crore.

He has levied Rs two to three lakh from each person. Latest reports suggest that at least 500 persons were cheated in the case. Apart from Firoz Khan, police have arrested his agent in Dubai, Sattar(50) who hails from Arukutty, Kombanamuri. Another accused who is from Kollam, was also nabbed by the police but his arrest is yet to be recorded.

Yesterday alone, police received more than 10 complaints. With this, police have come to the conclusion that the depth of the fraud case might enhance further. More arrests could take place. Firoz spent most of the money in buying luxury vehicles. Firoz, who is involved in numerous other fraud cases, is also active in the business of reselling renewed luxury cars.

Police have collected the necessary evidence after taking the accused to the recruitment agency’s office. Police are also investigating whether the other staff in the agency know about the fraud. They have also taken necessary measures to bring back other accused involved in the case.

There exist fraud cases against Firoz Khan in Ernakulam Central, Maradu and Cherthala stations. Firoz, who was earlier nabbed by North station police in a similar case, continued his fraud activities after getting out, by changing the name of his agency.

The Nurses who reached Dubai on visiting visas didn’t receive the jobs even after two months. Later they filed a written complaint directly to the Chief Minister. In the meantime, police captured Firoz while he was on his way to Delhi from Kozhikode.

Other promises along with the job were free accommodation and food. They have trapped the job seekers on the advertisement that Dubai hospitals need additional staff strength for Covid vaccination. As ‘take-off’ didn’t have a recruitment license, the fraud was undertaken in the name of other recruiting agencies.

The owners of the agency asked the Nurses who reached Dubai to work in massage centers or in home care. Their certificates were also seized by the staff of these agencies. The nurses who thought that they were being cheated at last complained to the Chief Minister. Many have come forward to bring the reeling nurses from Dubai.