In a major crackdown in Gorakhpur, police have arrested a man who allegedly posed as an inspector and cheated people of ₹16.30 lakh on the pretext of securing government jobs. The accused has been identified as Digvijaynath, a resident of Lakhwapakad village under Belghat police station limits.
According to police, Digvijaynath falsely claimed to be an inspector in the Uttar Pradesh Police. Wearing a police uniform, he allegedly impressed and intimidated people while promising to secure jobs in the police department and at Prayagraj University in exchange for money.
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Used Police Uniform to Gain Trust
SP South Dinesh Puri said police received information that a suspicious individual dressed in a police uniform was moving around the Sikriganj area. Acting on the tip-off, a team led by Sikriganj Station House Officer Ashish Kumar Tiwari intercepted a car near Dadihath turn on the Sikriganj–Belghat road.
The occupant of the vehicle was dressed as a police inspector but failed to provide satisfactory details about his posting and service credentials during questioning. Upon sustained interrogation, he allegedly admitted to impersonating a police officer using forged documents to cheat people.
Police recovered a police uniform, fake identity cards, nameplate, badge, stars, pen drive, mobile phone and a car from his possession. The seized materials are likely to be sent for forensic examination.
Three Victims Identified So Far
A complaint has been lodged by Dheeraj Sharma, a resident of Bhadarkhas-Badhyapar, who claimed to have been cheated by the accused.
During investigation, it emerged that Shashikant from Gola was allegedly duped of ₹25,000 on the promise of a job in the police department. Bhanu Pratap Mishra from Atraulia in Azamgarh was reportedly cheated of ₹6.46 lakh for securing a job at Prayagraj University, while Akhilesh Yadav from Rajey Sultanpur in Ambedkar Nagar allegedly paid ₹55,000.
Police suspect that more victims may surface as the probe progresses. Authorities are contacting individuals whose names appeared in recovered documents to record their statements.
Fake IPS Signatures on 18 Documents
Police said 18 documents were recovered from the accused’s car, allegedly bearing forged signatures of an IPS officer. The documents contained names of several candidates, and investigators are verifying their authenticity.
Officials added that the accused not only cheated people in the name of providing jobs but also allegedly attempted extortion during roadside “checking” drives while posing as a police officer. Police are investigating whether others were involved in the operation.
The accused is being produced before a court, and police are likely to seek custodial remand for further questioning. Investigators believe the amount involved and the number of victims could increase as more evidence comes to light.
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.
