A case of cyber fraud involving a fake promise of a government job has surfaced in Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur, where a man was cheated of ₹6.35 lakh after being lured with assurances of recruitment in the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Police have registered a case of cheating against an unidentified accused and initiated a cyber investigation to trace the money trail and identify the perpetrators.
The victim, Rameshwar, a resident of Ganesh Garden in the Fulsunga area of Rudrapur, approached the local cyber crime cell after realising that he had been duped over several weeks. According to the complaint, the fraud began with a WhatsApp call received on January 3 from an unknown number.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
The caller introduced himself as Neeraj Yadav, claiming to be an officer posted with a central security agency. He further alleged that his brother, Manoj Yadav, was a senior officer in the RPF in Delhi and had the authority to facilitate direct recruitment. The caller assured the victim that he could arrange government jobs without difficulty, provided certain “procedural expenses” were met.
Believing the claims, Rameshwar discussed the matter with his family and decided to seek employment for his relatives Pankaj Dayal and Amar. Soon after, the caller asked for personal documents through WhatsApp, including identity proofs, educational certificates and photographs, citing them as necessary for registration and verification.
Over the following days, the accused repeatedly demanded money on different pretexts, including job registration, file movement, verification charges and processing fees. Payments were made in instalments to bank accounts and digital payment platforms shared by the caller.
Between January 3 and the time the fraud was discovered, the victim transferred a total of ₹6.35 lakh. Each time, the accused reassured him that the recruitment process was progressing and that appointment letters would be issued shortly.
However, when weeks passed without any formal communication, interview call or joining instructions, Rameshwar grew suspicious. Attempts to contact the accused were met with vague responses, delays and eventually silence. When the phone number became unreachable and messages went unanswered, the victim realised he had fallen prey to a scam.
In his complaint, Rameshwar stated that the accused had carefully crafted his story to appear credible, using official-sounding language, references to central forces and repeated assurances to build trust. The impersonation of a government officer and the claim of direct links with senior RPF officials played a key role in convincing the victim.
Police have registered a first information report under relevant sections related to cheating and cyber fraud. Officials confirmed that the accused is currently unidentified and that efforts are underway to trace the mobile numbers, bank accounts and digital wallets used in the transactions.
Investigators are examining call records, WhatsApp communication, IP data and financial trails to identify whether the fraud was carried out by a single individual or as part of an organised cyber crime network. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that similar scams may have targeted other victims in the region.
Cyber crime experts warn that job-related frauds have seen a sharp rise, particularly those exploiting aspirants seeking government employment. Scammers often impersonate officers, use fake credentials and exploit the urgency and trust associated with uniformed services.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify any recruitment-related communication through official channels. They have reiterated that no government job is offered in exchange for money and that recruitment processes follow transparent, documented procedures.
The case from Rudrapur adds to a growing list of cyber fraud incidents where victims are targeted through social media and messaging platforms. Investigators believe timely reporting has improved the chances of tracking the accused and recovering at least part of the defrauded amount.
Further investigation is in progress.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
