Rs7-crore Merchant Navy job racket busted

When 23-year-old Mayur Patel signed up for a course with an institute promising jobs in the Merchant Navy, he thought he was securing his future. After paying Rs4 lakh as fees and wasting several months, the Kandivili resident realised that he was a victim of fraud.

With help of several other victims, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Wednesday arrested Manoj Dubey for allegedly cheating 70 students to the tune of over Rs7 crore.

According to the police, Dubey had formed a bogus company - Searock Institute of Education Research and Development Private Limited - based in Andheri.

Patel said he first came to know of the institute when the ‘faculty members’   visited his college in 2006. “They told us they have 500 ships and promised us jobs in the Merchant Navy with a starting salary of Rs25,000,” said Patel.

Attracted by the lucrative offer, Patel visited their Andheri office. “I was told that we had to pay Rs4 lakh as fees and then we would be given a 24-month officer training programme, followed by working on a ship,” he said.

However, they were taught about foreign languages instead of the Navy, Patel claimed. “In February 2007, we were sent for a camp to Karjat where we were given vada pav for food. When I inquired with the Indian Maritime Board and the director general of Shipping Office, I  learnt that the institute was not approved by them,” he said.

 “When we went to the institute’s office for a refund, their staff threatened us. Later we found out Dubey had stopped visiting his office,” said Aadish Shetty, another victim.
Amit Sinha, also a victim, said, “We found out that Dubey would be coming to a hotel in Bandra on Tuesday. We caught him there and then informed the EOW officials.”

“We are on the lookout for Dubey’s brothers Manish and Vinod,” said Ashok Gajbiye, senior inspector, EOW.