Gujarat Man Arrested in Pilibhit for Multi-Crore Railway Job Scam
In a significant crackdown on employment fraud, police in Pilibhit have arrested a man from Gujarat in connection with a sophisticated racket that allegedly duped unemployed individuals of a staggering Rs 2.9 crore. The arrest was made on Monday, with authorities recovering Rs 2 lakh in cash from the suspect and freezing 14 bank accounts used in the elaborate scam.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
Additional Superintendent of Police Vikram Dahiya identified the accused as Shiv Shankar Mishra, a resident of Bharuch district in Gujarat. According to police statements, Mishra had been operating this fraudulent scheme since 2021, targeting vulnerable job seekers with promises of securing positions in the prestigious Indian Railways.
The modus operandi involved a calculated approach to gain victims' trust. Mishra would show potential targets a fake appointment letter supposedly belonging to his daughter and even transfer amounts up to Rs 45,000 to their bank accounts, creating the illusion that they had successfully obtained railway employment. This deceptive strategy enabled him to extract much larger sums from his victims over time.
Widespread Impact Across Multiple Districts
The investigation has revealed that Mishra and his gang members targeted approximately 60 individuals from various locations, including Pilibhit, Bareilly, and Lucknow. Cases had previously been registered against him in all three districts last year, indicating the extensive geographical reach of his operations.
The Monday arrest specifically relates to a First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Amaria police station in Pilibhit on September 16 last year. The complainant, Rajkumar Prasad from Bhuda village in Pilibhit district, accused Mishra of cheating him out of Rs 18 lakh in instalments between October 10, 2022, and the filing of the complaint.
Legal Charges and Financial Transactions
Authorities have registered a case against Mishra under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 406 (criminal breach of trust)
- Section 420 (cheating)
- Section 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating)
- Section 471 (using forged documents as genuine)
During the investigation, 23 additional individuals came forward with separate complaints, collectively alleging losses totaling Rs 2.9 crore. In his interrogation, Mishra admitted to defrauding 60 persons and disclosed that he had transferred approximately Rs 1.5 crore to bank accounts belonging to his children and wife, Rekha Mishra.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Actions
ASP Vikram Dahiya confirmed that the investigation is actively continuing to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in this extensive racket. The recovery of cash and freezing of multiple bank accounts represent significant steps in dismantling the financial infrastructure supporting this fraudulent operation.
This case highlights the vulnerability of unemployed individuals to sophisticated job scams and underscores the importance of verifying employment offers through official channels. Police authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when approached with unsolicited job opportunities that require substantial upfront payments or personal financial information.
