Lucknow : A major cyber fraud racket operating under the guise of a “paper leak” for the Uttar Pradesh Sub-Inspector recruitment exam has been busted, with the arrest of Armaan Khan, a BBA student from Agra. He is accused of running a fake Telegram channel and deceiving job aspirants by claiming access to leaked examination papers, collecting substantial sums of money in return. His associate, Ayush Baghel, has also been linked to the case and was previously taken into custody.
According to officials, the accused, along with his associate, created a fraudulent Telegram channel named ‘UP SI Exam Paper UP ASI-2026’. Through this platform, they falsely claimed to possess the original question paper of the UP SI Recruitment Exam 2025. To strengthen the deception, they circulated edited PDFs, forged documents, and manipulated screenshots, creating a convincing illusion for aspirants.
Investigations reveal that the duo allegedly charged candidates between ₹10,000 and ₹25,000. Initially, they gained trust by sharing so-called “trial papers” or sample sets at lower costs or for free. Once credibility was established, candidates were pushed to pay higher amounts with the promise of receiving the “real leaked paper” before the exam. Many aspirants reportedly fell into the trap in hopes of securing better exam results.
The case surfaced after inputs suggested that certain Telegram channels were actively circulating claims of paper leaks related to recruitment examinations. Following this, a digital surveillance operation was launched, which eventually exposed the fraud network. Officials confirmed that the entire operation was primarily social media-based, with Telegram serving as the central platform for execution.
Exploiting Candidate Anxiety
Sources involved in the investigation stated that the channel was not limited to sharing fake papers but also used misleading labels such as “result panels” and other fabricated groups to attract candidates. The scammers allegedly used psychological pressure and urgency tactics to convince aspirants that the leaked material was authentic and limited in availability.
Cybersecurity experts have warned that such scams are increasingly exploiting exam-related anxiety among students. Commenting on the case, renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “Cyber criminals are increasingly using social engineering techniques to exploit candidates’ stress and desperation. Fake papers, Telegram channels, and forged documents are being used to build trust before executing financial fraud. This has become a highly organized and rapidly expanding form of cybercrime.”
Police further stated that the modus operandi involved multiple stages. First, misinformation about exam leaks was spread across social media platforms. Interested candidates were then directed to private Telegram groups, where they were convinced to make payments for “exclusive access.” However, the promised materials were entirely fake.
Ongoing Investigation and Interstate Links
At present, Armaan Khan is being interrogated, and his digital devices have been seized for forensic analysis. Authorities are also tracing financial transactions and digital footprints to identify other members of the network. The involvement of Ayush Baghel is under detailed scrutiny as investigators suspect a wider network operating across multiple regions.
Officials believe the racket may have interstate links, and further arrests cannot be ruled out. Investigators are also examining whether similar fake channels were used to target candidates in other recruitment exams.
The case highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled frauds targeting job aspirants in India, where misinformation and fake digital content are increasingly being weaponized on social media platforms.
