The allure of a secure government job remains a powerful
motivation, but this desire for stability is often exploited by sophisticated
fraudsters. The Gujarat Police recently made a crucial arrest, bringing down a
major job racket orchestrated by a 12th-pass man identified as Aman Kumar
from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, who successfully impersonated a senior Income Tax
(I-T) Officer and cheated over 35 aspirants across India.
This elaborate scheme highlights the sophisticated methods
employed by fraudsters and serves as a stark warning to job seekers about
verifying official communication.
The Modus Operandi: Creating a Web of Deception
Aman Kumar's scam was meticulously planned, focusing on
candidates preparing for competitive government examinations. His methods
ensured victims felt they were participating in a legitimate, if
unconventional, recruitment process:
- Targeting
Aspirants:
Kumar specifically targeted individuals actively preparing for government
jobs, knowing they were eager and often less cynical about the recruitment
process.
- Impersonation: He posed as a senior Income Tax
official, using the gravity of a prestigious government position to
earn immediate trust.
- Forged
Digital Identity:
To cement his authenticity, he created fake government email IDs
that closely resembled official Income Tax Department domains, using them
for detailed correspondence regarding "training and
appointment."
- Fake
Training Sessions:
The victims were instructed to attend supposed "official training
sessions" held in various cities, including the Accountant
General's Office in Bengaluru and Kolkata. This use of established
government buildings lent immense credibility to the scheme.
- Extortion
for "Security": After the training, Kumar would demand large sums of
money, typically around ₹12 lakh, under the guise of a mandatory
"security deposit" for final job confirmation.
The Specifics: The Ahmedabad Victim
The arrest was triggered by a complaint filed by an Ahmedabad-based
woman who was duped of a significant amount.
Ø The victim, believing she had secured a
confirmed position, transferred ₹9.20 lakh as requested.
Ø The final stage of the deception
involved handing her a forged appointment letter bearing the name of the
Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Karnataka and Goa Region) and a
fabricated Deputy Commissioner's signature.
Ø Her suspicions were finally raised when
the forged documents and email communications failed independent verification,
prompting her to approach the Gujarat Police.
Investigation and Prior History
The police investigation quickly revealed the scale of the
fraud. Senior Police Officer Hardik Mankadiya confirmed that Kumar's operation,
which involved running fake offices, printing forged documents, and collecting
money, extended across the country.
Crucially, the investigation uncovered that the fraudster was
not new to such crimes; previous complaints had been filed against him at the CBI
Mumbai office in 2023 for similar scams. Kumar was subsequently arrested in
Dhanbad and brought to Ahmedabad for further interrogation, where police
believe he ran the operation with a few key associates.
A Warning to the Public
This case serves as a critical public service message from
law enforcement:
Ø Official Portals are Key: Always verify the authenticity of any
government job offer, interview call, or appointment letter exclusively through
official government portals and established, publicly known contact
channels.
Ø Never Pay for a Job: Legitimate government recruitment
processes never require candidates to pay a "security deposit,"
"placement fee," or any form of cash payment for job
confirmation.
Ø Scrutinize Email IDs: Be extremely wary of emails coming from
addresses that are similar to, but not exactly, official government domains.
Check for subtle misspellings or unofficial suffixes.
The authorities urge all citizens to remain vigilant and
report any suspicious job offers immediately to prevent further exploitation.
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