In a significant crackdown on digital deception targeting job seekers, the cybercrime police station in Azamgarh district has apprehended an inter-district fraudster. The accused was allegedly cheating people out of lakhs of rupees by impersonating a Basic Education Officer (BSA) and offering fake appointment letters for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) teacher positions.
The Modus Operandi of the Fraud
The police team, led by cyber station in-charge Inspector Devendra Pratap Singh, identified and arrested the accused, Ram Singh, a resident of Prayagraj, on Friday. The arrest was made from Kaswa Patti in Pratapgarh district following a meticulous technical analysis and mobile location tracking.
According to SP (Rural) Chirag Jain, Ram Singh's scam was elaborate. He would lure victims by claiming to be the BSA of Azamgarh and promising selection for the coveted ECCE educator posts. To build credibility, he created a fake email ID: uttarpradeshbsaofficeazamgarh@gmail.com. He further misused the actual BSA's name and photograph on platforms like WhatsApp and Truecaller to win the trust of anxious candidates.
The financial trap was set by demanding amounts ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 40,000 per candidate. Payments were solicited by sending QR codes linked to public service centres. In a cruel twist, as soon as the money was received, the fraudster would block the candidates' mobile numbers, cutting off all communication.
Digital Evidence and Past Crimes
Upon arrest, the police seized two mobile phones from Ram Singh. A forensic analysis revealed a treasure trove of digital evidence that solidified the case against him. The phones contained:
- Fake email drafts and conversations.
- Fraudulent WhatsApp profiles impersonating the officer.
- Lists of potential and targeted ECCE teacher candidates.
- Screenshots of Telegram groups possibly used for coordination.
- Other crucial digital footprints of the scam.
Based on this evidence, a formal case has been registered against him at the Azamgarh cybercrime police station. Investigations also revealed that similar fraud cases were registered against Ram Singh earlier in Amroha district, indicating a pattern of criminal activity across the region.
Police Appeal and Public Advisory
SP Rural Chirag Jain used this incident to issue a stern advisory to the public, especially government job aspirants. He urged people to remain extremely vigilant if any individual demands money through email, phone calls, or social media in the name of securing a government job or providing an appointment letter.
Legitimate government recruitment processes rarely, if ever, involve direct solicitation of money through unofficial channels like personal QR codes or WhatsApp. The police advised candidates to always verify offers through official government websites and district education offices directly, and to report any suspicious activity immediately to the cybercrime helpline.
This arrest highlights the growing challenge of cyber fraud in the digital age and the proactive steps being taken by Uttar Pradesh's cyber police units to protect citizens from financially and emotionally devastating scams.
