Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment Examination scheduled from June 8 to June 10, cyber fraudsters have attempted to lure candidates with a fake promise of providing the question paper in exchange for ₹8,000. The attempt was exposed after a suspicious Telegram channel was identified, leading to the registration of an FIR at Hussain Ganj police station.
Recruitment Board Intensifies Monitoring
The recruitment exam is being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, which has intensified monitoring of online platforms to prevent malpractice and misinformation during the examination period.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
According to officials, a Telegram channel named “UPP Exam Paper” surfaced on June 6 night, where messages were posted claiming that the upcoming examination paper would be provided in a private group. The accused allegedly demanded ₹8,000 from interested candidates in exchange for access. The message also included a QR code and bank account details to facilitate payments.
Vigilance Cell Detects Telegram Channel
The fraud attempt was detected by the vigilance cell of the recruitment board, which was actively monitoring social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps. Once the suspicious activity was confirmed, Inspector Upendra Singh, posted in the vigilance unit, lodged an FIR based on the Telegram channel details.
The case has now been assigned for investigation to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vikas Kumar Jaiswal, who has begun probing the digital trail of the accused. Cyber units are working to identify the operator of the Telegram channel and trace the bank account and payment details linked to the fraudulent activity.
Digital Trail Under Investigation
Officials believe that such scam attempts are often carried out by organized cyber fraud networks that exploit examination periods to target anxious candidates. These groups typically use fake promises of leaked question papers or answer keys to collect money and then disappear before the exam date.
The police have also initiated technical analysis of the Telegram channel, including IP tracking, device fingerprinting, and examination of payment QR codes shared in the messages. Efforts are underway to identify whether the fraud network is operating from within the state or outside jurisdiction.
Authorities have reiterated that the examination process is completely secure and confidential, and no question paper can be accessed or leaked through unauthorized channels. They have warned candidates not to fall prey to such fraudulent claims circulating on social media or messaging platforms.
Candidates Warned Against Fake Claims
Officials have further appealed to aspirants to focus solely on their preparation and avoid engaging with any individual or group claiming to provide exam papers or insider information. Candidates have also been advised to immediately report such activities to law enforcement agencies or cybercrime helplines.
The recruitment board has strengthened its surveillance mechanisms across digital platforms to ensure that the examination is conducted fairly and without any disruption. Continuous monitoring is being carried out on Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media channels to detect any similar fraudulent activity.
Investigators are also examining whether the QR code and bank account details used in the scam attempt are linked to previously known cyber fraud cases. Initial indications suggest that the network may be part of a broader racket targeting competitive examination aspirants across multiple states.
Police officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those involved in the scam attempt, and efforts are being made to dismantle the entire network behind such misleading campaigns.
