Lucknow: A joint investigation by the Lucknow police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a widespread scam where fraudsters exploit social media platforms, particularly Telegram, to deceive job seekers. The scammers promise to provide authentic question papers for various entrance examinations, leading to a surge in such fraudulent activities across the city.
Rise in Fake Paper Leak Frauds
According to police records, since October 2024, there have been 15 reported cases of fake paper leaks in Lucknow, affecting hundreds of aspirants. While First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in all instances, only six arrests have been made in four cases so far. The remaining perpetrators remain untraceable, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Modus Operandi of Fraudsters
In most cases, fraudsters circulate counterfeit question papers, falsely claiming them to be genuine. They create Telegram channels with names tailored to specific entrance tests, such as "Home Guard Easy Launch" or "SI Paper Out." These channels post messages inviting candidates to pay a certain amount to obtain the question papers, said a senior officer from the UP STF.
Interested candidates are instructed to deposit money into a mule account or make payments via UPI. The amounts typically range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000. Victims often receive outdated papers or nothing at all, realizing the scam only after appearing for the exam. By then, the fraudsters have already withdrawn the money and vanished, the officer explained.
Why Telegram is a Preferred Platform
Telegram has become a favorite tool for these fraudsters due to its security features that make it difficult to trace the sender or channel administrator. The app allows users to interact through usernames without publicly displaying their phone numbers, and channels can have thousands or even millions of subscribers. This provides an easy and low-risk avenue for making money, said a senior STF official.
In the four cases that have been cracked, investigators were able to trace the culprits because they transferred the money from mule accounts to their personal accounts.
Notable Arrests
In April, the Lucknow Police arrested Prakash Mishra, a resident of Delhi, for allegedly running a Telegram channel called "Exam Paper Wallah." He is accused of earning nearly Rs 5 lakh by duping candidates. Earlier this month, the UP STF arrested Om Kumar, a Bihar-based individual, for operating an interstate app network active since 2022. His network targeted aspirants across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh through various channels.
Psychological and Systemic Factors
Experts point to systemic pressures that make job seekers vulnerable. "Students easily fall into the trap because of desperation to get a job," said Vishakha Sharma, a clinical psychologist based in Lucknow. She added that high-profile incidents like the NEET paper leak reinforce the belief that papers are indeed leaked and can be acquired through payment.
Former IPS officer and cyber expert Triveni Singh highlighted the systematic misuse of Telegram. "If a channel is reported or shut down, fraudsters can quickly create a new channel and redirect followers through invite links. The app also supports bots that can automatically handle inquiries, collect payments, distribute files, and manage subscribers," he explained.
This ongoing scam underscores the need for increased awareness among job seekers and stricter regulation of messaging platforms to prevent such fraudulent activities.
