Prayagraj. A case of alleged fraud involving ₹14.80 lakh has surfaced in the Mauaima area of Prayagraj, where a youth and his family were allegedly cheated on the promise of securing a government job. The accused, identified as Shahid, allegedly claimed to be working in the Education Department and said he had connections with senior officials in the Lucknow Secretariat. He allegedly took the money after promising to arrange a government job and later handed over a fake joining letter and other documents.
The complaint was filed by Harishankar Yadav, a resident of Fazilpur village under Phulpur police station. He stated that his son, Sanjay Singh Yadav, had been looking for employment. According to the complaint, Sanjay visited the Dhuripur temple area in Mauaima on October 3, 2025, where he met Shahid. During their conversation, Sanjay allegedly told him about his difficulties in finding a job.
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Claim of Getting a Job in the Education Department
Shahid allegedly introduced himself as an employee of the Education Department and claimed to have contacts with senior officials in the Lucknow Secretariat. He allegedly assured Sanjay that he could arrange a government job and demanded money for the process. Trusting his claims, the family allegedly paid a total of ₹14.80 lakh through different means.
Fake Joining Letter Exposed the Alleged Fraud
According to the complaint, Shahid later handed Sanjay a joining letter along with several other documents. The family initially believed the documents were genuine. However, when they approached the concerned department for verification, the documents were allegedly found to be fake. The family then realised that they had allegedly been cheated and began demanding the return of their money.
Promise to Return the Money During a Panchayat
Harishankar Yadav alleged that the family traced Shahid and went to his house to demand their money back. A panchayat was subsequently held in the presence of Shahid’s parents and other people. According to the complaint, Shahid’s side assured the family that the money would be returned. Out of the ₹14.80 lakh allegedly taken, only ₹50,000 was returned. A written understanding was reportedly reached to repay the remaining amount gradually.
Death Threat Alleged Over Demand for Refund
The victim’s family alleged that despite the written assurance, the remaining money was not returned. They claimed that Shahid continued to delay repayment despite repeated demands. The family has now alleged that they are being threatened with death for asking for their money back. They have sought registration of a case against Shahid, recovery of the remaining amount and legal action.
Police Conducting Investigation
The investigating officer said the complaint was being examined seriously. The allegations of taking money on the promise of securing a job, the authenticity of the joining letter and other documents, and the alleged threats are being investigated. Further legal action will be taken on the basis of the facts and evidence that emerge during the investigation. Police are also examining whether Shahid allegedly cheated other people using a similar promise of arranging government employment.
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.
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