Punjab Police have arrested a man and his wife for allegedly impersonating a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and cheating job seekers of ₹31.5 lakh by promising appointments in the police department. According to investigators, the accused allegedly assured victims that they could secure positions such as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Inspector and Head Constable in return for large payments. The case remains under investigation, and the allegations are yet to be tested in court.
The accused have been identified as Anmol Ratan and his wife Mandeep Kaur. Police said the couple was arrested with the help of technical surveillance after they allegedly remained absconding by frequently changing their locations and mobile phone numbers. Both have been taken into police custody for further interrogation.
According to police, the case originated from a complaint filed on July 17, 2025, by Raveen Kaur, a resident of Baupur Bet village in Shahkot. In her complaint, she alleged that Anmol Ratan introduced himself as a senior police officer and promised to secure a DSP post for her, an Inspector’s post for her niece Sandeep Kaur, and a Head Constable position for her brother Hardeep Singh. Believing the claims, the family allegedly paid ₹31.5 lakh, but no appointments were ever made.
Investigators stated that after the FIR was registered, the accused allegedly continued to evade arrest by frequently changing addresses and mobile numbers. During the investigation, police reportedly discovered that ₹3 lakh had been transferred from the alleged fraud proceeds into the bank account of the accused’s father. Based on this financial trail, police arrested his father on June 23, 2026, in connection with the case. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The investigation later led to the arrest of Anmol Ratan and Mandeep Kaur on July 8.
During questioning, police claim that Anmol Ratan admitted to preparing forged IPS identity cards and other fake official documents to convince victims that he had the authority to arrange government jobs. Investigators also allege that he confessed to cheating several other individuals using a similar modus operandi. Police are examining these claims and verifying whether additional victims may have been targeted.
Police said they recovered a laptop, mobile phone, forged identity cards and several counterfeit documents from the accused during the investigation. Digital devices and documents seized from the couple are being subjected to forensic examination to determine the extent of the alleged fraud and identify any additional associates.
The financial investigation has also revealed alleged utilisation of the suspected proceeds of crime. According to police, around ₹17 lakh was invested in a ready-made garment shop in Shahkot that was allegedly operated by a close relative of the accused. Investigators further allege that ₹1.10 lakh was spent on purchasing a Maruti Ciaz car, while another ₹10 lakh was allegedly used towards the purchase of a house in Nakodar. Authorities are verifying these transactions as part of the ongoing probe into the money trail.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said organised recruitment frauds often rely on forged government identities, fabricated appointment letters and misuse of the public’s trust in official institutions. He advised job seekers to verify every recruitment process only through official government notifications and authorised recruitment agencies. He also cautioned that no legitimate government appointment can be secured through private payments or personal influence, and any such demand should immediately be reported to law enforcement authorities.
Police have stated that the investigation is continuing to determine whether the accused were part of a larger network involved in similar recruitment scams. A case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities said additional action will be taken if further evidence or victims emerge during the course of the investigation. All allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny, and the guilt or innocence of the accused will ultimately be determined by the court.
