Gorakhpur: Police have invoked the Gangster Act against an alleged organised fraud racket whose members are accused of posing as IAS officers and government staff to cheat people of crores of rupees by promising tenders, contracts and official benefits. The case, registered at Gulriha police station, names alleged mastermind Lalit Kishore and three associates, all of whom are currently lodged in jail.
Racket Surfaced After Cash Seizure
According to police officials, the network came to light during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, when nearly ₹1 crore in cash was recovered from a trader. The investigation into the seizure later led authorities to what they described as a wider syndicate involved in impersonation and financial fraud.
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Gulriha police arrested Lalit Kishore, his brother-in-law Abhishek Kumar, and Gorakhpur resident Parmanand Gupta on December 10, 2025. During searches, police recovered ₹4.15 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery, forged identity cards, fabricated documents and other material. Another accused, Ramnayan Gupta, was later arrested and sent to jail.
Fake IAS Identity Used To Build Credibility
Investigators said Lalit Kishore allegedly introduced himself as an IAS officer named “Gaurav Kumar Singh.” To reinforce the false identity, he reportedly wore official-style attire, used fake security personnel and projected the appearance of a government officer in public places.
Police said he also allegedly visited several schools in Gorakhpur, conducting inspections and checks while posing as a government official. Investigators believe these activities helped him gain credibility among locals and potential victims.
Abhishek Kumar allegedly posed as the fake IAS officer’s steno, while Parmanand Gupta acted as his security gunman. Police said the group used fake WhatsApp chats, forged government letters and counterfeit identity cards to convince victims of their claims.
Police Probe Assets And Wider Links
Officials said money collected through the alleged fraud was diverted into land and property investments. In one instance, more than 100 dismil of land was registered in the name of Ramnayan Gupta, with its estimated value running into crores of rupees.
Investigators suspect that illicit funds were routed through farmers’ bank accounts to make transactions appear legitimate before land registration. Police are now examining call detail records, digital communications and financial transactions to trace the wider network.
Senior officials said action under the Gangster Act was taken because of the organised nature of the alleged crimes. Authorities are also working to identify and attach properties acquired through illegal earnings, with further action likely after verification is completed.
