The Cyber Crimes Police of the Andhra Pradesh CID have arrested a man for allegedly cheating unemployed youth by circulating fake government recruitment notifications and promising government jobs. The accused, identified as Gopal, is alleged to have run a fake recruitment racket for money in the name of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
According to the CID, the preliminary investigation has found that nearly 60 victims were cheated of around Rs 93 lakh. Officials also said around 16 cases have been registered against Gopal in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in connection with similar job fraud activities, while his possible role in other cases is being examined.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the CID said, “The Cyber Crimes Police of the Andhra Pradesh CID have arrested Gopal for cheating unemployed youth by circulating fake government recruitment notifications and promising government jobs in the name of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.”
The agency said that in 2021, he allegedly published a newspaper advertisement claiming recruitment under the ministry and gave a fake email address to receive applications.
Using details received through that email, Gopal allegedly contacted candidates and persuaded them to pay money by promising government employment. The CID alleged that he forged and circulated recruitment notifications, certificate verification letters, interview letters, appointment orders and training orders using the Government of India emblem, the name of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the official address of the National Health Mission, Andhra Pradesh.
Several victims, believing the documents to be genuine, reportedly went to the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation building at Mangalagiri for verification and joining formalities.
The CID also alleged that Gopal recruited people through OLX and used their bank accounts as mule accounts to receive money from victims. He reportedly offered them around 30 per cent commission, kept the remaining amount, and retained their ATM cards to withdraw money.
Officials said Gopal opened a bank account in the name of Ayushman Bharat Foundation to gain the confidence of victims. He also allegedly used rental cars during meetings to present himself as a senior government official. The investigation found that he created and used multiple fake email IDs and around 15 mobile numbers obtained through fake KYC documents. Technical analysis also showed that about 278 IMEIs were linked to a single mobile number.
The CID said it seized two mobile phones, including a smartphone containing the fake email IDs and a keypad phone, along with a laptop containing fake recruitment notifications, call letters and other incriminating material. Eight ATM cards, appointment letters, recruitment notifications and other documents were also seized.
Officials said the accused used to switch off his phones while moving around Vijayawada to avoid detection, but the CID traced and arrested him by analysing digital footprints and using technical investigation and surveillance.
The agency is also tracing the money trail. Preliminary information indicated that the cheated money was invested in real estate, and officials are examining bank accounts, transactions and properties linked to the accused to trace the proceeds of crime. The alleged procurement and use of government emblem stamps and seals from the Patamata area in Vijayawada are also under investigation, and officials said appropriate legal action would follow based on the findings.
The CID has advised unemployed youth not to trust offers of government jobs through backdoor methods or mediators in exchange for money, and asked them to verify recruitment notifications only through official government channels.
Police have also registered a case under relevant laws over the circulation of forged recruitment notifications, interview letters, appointment orders and training orders.
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