Varanasi: A case alleging ₹20.50 lakh job fraud has been registered in Varanasi, where an IIT-BHU Junior Lab Assistant and his wife have been accused of cheating two individuals by promising them jobs at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). According to the complaint, the accused collected the money, issued a forged joining letter, and later failed to return the remaining amount. Acting on the directions of the Police Commissioner, Lanka Police Station has registered a case under charges including cheating and launched an investigation.
Police said the complaint was filed by Anil Patel, a resident of Sarai Dangari Kala in the Chitaipur area. He alleged that Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Susuwahi and a Junior Lab Assistant in the Department of Biochemical Engineering at IIT-BHU, promised to secure jobs at BHU for his brother Ajit and sister-in-law Preeti. Trusting the assurance, the family allegedly paid the accused a total of ₹20.50 lakh nearly two years ago.
According to the complaint, after receiving the money, Dinesh Kumar allegedly handed over a joining letter bearing the purported signature of BHU Deputy Registrar Shivkumar Tripathi. However, when Anil accompanied his brother and sister-in-law to BHU for joining formalities, university authorities informed them that the appointment letter was forged and that no such recruitment had been issued by the university. It was only then that the family realised they had allegedly been defrauded.
The complainant alleged that after discovering the fraud, the family repeatedly demanded the return of their money. Following sustained pressure, Dinesh Kumar allegedly repaid ₹8 lakh and issued two cheques for the remaining amount. However, when the cheques were presented for clearance, they were reportedly rejected after the bank found that the signatures did not match those of the account holder. The outstanding amount has allegedly remained unpaid since then.
The complaint further stated that Dinesh Kumar and his wife later signed a written undertaking on stamp paper in the presence of police, promising to repay the remaining amount by February 7, 2026. Despite the written assurance, the complainant alleged that the money was never returned and that the accused continued to avoid repayment.
Anil Patel also alleged that when he again demanded the outstanding amount, Dinesh Kumar threatened to implicate him in false cases, including under provisions related to atrocities against Scheduled Castes. Following these allegations, he approached the Police Commissioner seeking legal action. After a preliminary inquiry, the Police Commissioner directed the registration of a criminal case, and Lanka Police commenced a formal investigation.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said fraudsters involved in employment scams frequently exploit the names of reputed educational institutions, forged appointment letters, and influential positions to gain the confidence of job seekers. He advised candidates to verify every recruitment notification exclusively through the official website and authorised recruitment channels of the concerned institution. He also cautioned applicants against transferring money into private accounts in the name of recruitment, document verification, or processing fees without proper verification.
Police are examining documents related to the case, banking transactions, the disputed cheques, the alleged written settlement, and other evidence. Officials said further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation, and statements from any additional victims, if identified, will also be recorded.
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.
