A major fraud case has come to light from Gorakhpur, where a coordinated network is accused of cheating people of nearly ₹85 lakh by promising government jobs, subsidized bank loans and assistance in setting up a water plant.
Police have registered a case against seven individuals on charges of cheating, forgery, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy, and have launched a detailed investigation into the wider racket.
Coordinated Networks and Institutional Impersonations
According to the complainant, the case dates back to 2018 when he visited Noida to gather information about setting up a water plant. There, he allegedly met a man named Ajit Singh, who introduced himself as being connected to influential circles. It is alleged that Ajit Singh, along with his wife Mukesh Lata, brother-in-law Ravi Kataria and other associates, falsely represented themselves as senior officials linked to major banking institutions, including the State Bank of India, in order to gain trust.
The accused allegedly promised a subsidized loan of up to ₹1 crore with a 50% government subsidy. The complainant stated that the group further claimed that certain “high-level payments” would be required to expedite loan approval, assuring that the file would be cleared quickly. Believing these assurances, the victim reportedly made multiple payments in cash and through bank transfers over a period of time.
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To strengthen credibility, the accused also arranged site inspections of land and created a formal-looking loan processing environment. This was allegedly done to make the process appear legitimate and further convince the victim of the authenticity of the scheme.
Fictitious Placement Offers and Fabricated Sanctions
The complaint further states that after some time, the accused introduced another fraudulent offer related to government job placement. Additional payments were allegedly collected under this pretext through various bank accounts and cash transactions. In total, around ₹85 lakh was reportedly collected from the victim and his associates in multiple installments.
The accused later called the complainant to the Lucknow Secretariat, where they allegedly handed over loan sanction letters and job-related appointment documents. However, subsequent verification revealed that all these documents were forged and fabricated.
The situation escalated in March 2024 when the victim was called to a hotel in Gorakhpur and handed a cheque worth ₹85 lakh as supposed repayment. When deposited in the bank, the cheque was found to be fake. After this, when the victim demanded a refund, the accused allegedly began issuing threats, including warnings of false legal cases.
Statutory FIR Bookings and Target Suspect Profiles
Police have identified the accused as Ajit Singh, Mukesh Lata, Ravi Kataria, Rajesh Kumar, Raman Bagga, Neeraj Sudhanshu, and Pappu Yadav. All have been booked for running a coordinated criminal network involving fraud, document forgery and systematic financial deception.
Investigators are now examining whether the network was limited to Gorakhpur or had links extending into the National Capital Region and other states. Authorities believe the group operated using a structured method, involving fake identities, fabricated documents and impersonation of banking officials to gain public trust.
Officials stated that the accused used a carefully planned strategy to manipulate victims by presenting themselves as connected to banking and administrative systems. Forged appointment letters, fake loan approval documents and impersonation tactics were key elements of the alleged scam.
Digital Footprint Audits and Nexus Tracking
The case has created concern at the local level, as it highlights how investment, employment and banking-related promises were misused to defraud unsuspecting individuals. Investigators are now attempting to determine how many others may have been targeted using a similar method.
Police further confirmed that digital footprints, financial transactions and banking records are being analyzed to trace the full extent of the network. Authorities believe that more links and possible additional victims may emerge as the investigation progresses.
The case once again underscores how organized fraud networks exploit aspirations related to jobs, business opportunities and financial support, using fake documentation and false authority claims to carry out large-scale deception over extended periods.
