More than 1,200 women across Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, and other districts have been duped by a gang posing as agents of the Centre’s “Lakhpati Didi Yojana.” Victims were promised ₹1 lakh under the scheme in return for identity proofs and upfront fees. The con, operating from Lucknow, has triggered a cross-state investigation as the accused vanish with crores.
The Trap: Identity Cards, Bank Details, and False Promises
In what is emerging as one of the most calculated welfare scheme scams in recent times, a gang operated from Lucknow by falsely claiming to register women under the Central Government’s “Lakhpati Didi Yojana.” Using local agents and fake IDs, they lured vulnerable women from Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Siddharthnagar, and even districts in Bihar.
Police reports reveal that the gang promised women ₹1 lakh in financial aid under the scheme in exchange for small upfront “registration fees” ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹1,200. Victims were issued fake ID cards carrying the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as false assurance of authenticity.
The operation was so slick that it involved forged companies, digital forms, biometric collection, and even the use of field agents posing as PM scheme officers — complete with bogus titles like “Manager,” “Assistant Loan Officer,” and “Survey In-Charge.”
Inside the Network: Fraud Offices, Fake Employees, and Digital Footprints
According to reports from Shahpur Police and a whistleblower named Seema Yadav, the conmen opened an office in Lucknow near Rapti Nagar’s border. Here, they ran daily operations under the disguise of an NBFC-like setup. Victims recalled meeting individuals with official-looking documents and job titles.
Key accused named include Rajesh Jayaswal (Manager), Resh Chand (Noida Officer), and Geeta Saini (Survey Head). All are now absconding, with their mobile numbers switched off. The office was shut suddenly once suspicion arose.
Victims were asked to submit identity proofs, photos, phone numbers, and other personal details — data which may now be in the hands of organized fraud syndicates. Many were told their funds would be deposited in accounts opened under NBFCs. The promised transfer date? April 20 — but no money ever came.
The gang is suspected to have collected over ₹1 crore from poor women across the region before disappearing without a trace.
Police Response: Cross-State Manhunt and Escalation of Probe
With Bihar Police now collaborating, the hunt for the gang has intensified. FIRs have been registered under sections related to fraud, impersonation, and cheating. Police teams are now using digital forensics, bank trails, and telecom tracking to pinpoint the masterminds.
In Pipraich, two additional victims filed formal petitions. Investigators believe the total number of victims may be much higher. The scam’s scale, use of political imagery, and exploitation of a government scheme have raised red flags across law enforcement agencies.
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SP City Abhinav Tyagi confirmed that all suspects are on the radar and arrests are imminent. The case has also raised questions about how easily conmen are able to exploit digital illiteracy and trust in government branding for personal gain.
Conclusion: When Welfare Becomes a Weapon for Fraud
This scam has once again exposed the dangerous intersection of poverty, trust, and cyber-enabled fraud in rural India. While “Lakhpati Didi Yojana” aims to empower women, its name has been misused by con artists to deepen financial despair.