Gorakhpur’s Gulriha police on Tuesday night arrested Gaurav Kumar, a man who had been posing as an IAS officer and allegedly cheating people by promising government jobs and departmental contracts. The accused had been evading the police for a long time and had targeted victims in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and other states.
Case Came to Light After Large Cash Seizure at Railway Station
The fraud came to prominence when Mukund Madhav, a trader from Mokama in Bihar, was caught with ₹99.09 lakh at the Gorakhpur railway station. During checking conducted amid the Bihar Assembly elections, the trader disclosed that he had paid the money to Gaurav Kumar as a bribe for securing a government job and contract. After being threatened with a complaint, Gaurav returned the money, and the trader was carrying it home when he was detained by the GRP.
Accused Fled from Lucknow, Returned to Gorakhpur and Was Captured
Once the cash recovery brought the case into focus, the police intensified their search. Gaurav fled from his hideout in Lucknow’s Ashiyana area before the police could catch him. A team even reached Lucknow looking for him, but he managed to escape again. Later, when he came to Gorakhpur to meet an associate, the Gulriha police arrested him following a tip-off. Multiple cheating cases are registered against him in different districts.
Built a Fake IAS Identity on Social Media to Cheat People
Gaurav Kumar allegedly projected himself as a 2022-batch IAS officer on social media, building a convincing image that easily earned people’s trust. He appeared well-versed in government schemes, departmental processes and official networks, which further strengthened his credibility. Investigations revealed that three others worked with him, handling his online profiles, preparing forged documents and maintaining his fabricated “official identity.”
Woman Alleges Marriage Fraud and Financial Exploitation
On 11 November, a woman approached the police accusing Gaurav of contacting her through social media while posing as an IAS officer. She claimed he spoke about government meetings, projects and official connections, and later proposed marriage. Over time, he began seeking financial help on various pretexts and eventually disappeared. Her complaint exposed another major aspect of his fraud.
Active in Gorakhpur for Six Months, Rented a House Near BRD Medical College
Police found that the accused had been operating in Gorakhpur for the past six months. He had rented a house near BRD Medical College, but the place was found locked when the police arrived. Officials said more cases may surface during interrogation.
