Jaunpur – A major recruitment scam has been uncovered in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where job aspirants were duped of ₹1.03 crore under the pretext of appointments in government-aided colleges affiliated with Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, and Maharaja Suheldev University, Azamgarh.
The accused — identified as Avani Singh, a retired clerk from Purvanchal University, and his son Prashant Kumar, an engineer — allegedly forged appointment letters and extorted money from candidates seeking teaching and non-teaching positions.
The Modus Operandi: Fake Letters, Forged Seals, and Promises of ‘Internal Influence’
According to the investigation, the father-son duo ran this racket between 2020 and 2023, targeting unemployed graduates across several districts, including Jaunpur, Varanasi, Azamgarh, Ghaziabad, and Ballia.
The accused would promise jobs for posts such as clerks, peons, lab technicians, and engineers, claiming access to “internal university sources.”
To build credibility, they prepared fake letterheads, appointment orders, and selection lists bearing the university’s official seal and signature replicas.
Victims reported that they were shown fabricated offer letters and even “joining schedules.” Payments ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh were taken per candidate, with the total amount reaching over ₹1.03 crore.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Following multiple complaints, the Khuthan Police launched a probe. So far, 41 victims have been identified, confirming financial fraud amounting to ₹1.03 crore.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP), Jaunpur:
“Preliminary evidence indicates a well-orchestrated financial conspiracy. The accused misused the university’s reputation to build trust and systematically defrauded aspirants.”
Both accused have been booked under sections related to cheating , forgery, and criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B). Their bank accounts, transaction trails, and digital communications are now under forensic scrutiny.
University Administration’s Response
The Purvanchal University administration has announced an internal inquiry to verify whether any serving employees or officials were complicit.
A senior university official stated:
“Such incidents damage the integrity of our institution. We are committed to transparency, and any staff member found involved will face strict disciplinary action.”
Authorities have urged job seekers to rely solely on official university channels and verified recruitment portals, warning against any “private consultancy” claiming insider influence.
Expert Analysis: “Fraudsters Exploit Systemic Gaps” — Prof. Triveni Singh
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh explained that the case reflects a larger, national pattern of digitally-enabled recruitment scams that prey on aspirants’ desperation amid unemployment.
“Fraudsters today operate with corporate precision. They exploit data, psychology, and institutional delays. Whenever recruitment systems lack transparency, these networks fill the vacuum with false promises.”
Prof. Singh said.
He emphasized the need for universities and state agencies to adopt digital verification systems for appointment letters and selection documents, adding:
“If every appointment letter carried a unique online verification code, such frauds could be detected instantly.”
Broader Implications: A Crisis of Trust and Opportunity
Experts suggest that this case is not just about financial fraud but about the erosion of faith in public institutions.
When official recruitment processes remain slow or opaque, job seekers often fall prey to intermediaries posing as “connectors within the system.”
The scam underscores the urgent need for transparent, technology-driven recruitment mechanisms — not only to protect candidates but to restore public confidence in the education sector’s integrity.
The Road Ahead
Police have intensified their search for the accused and begun analyzing bank records to trace fund transfers.
Investigators are also probing whether the racket extended to other affiliated colleges in the Purvanchal and Azamgarh regions.
Meanwhile, university authorities have pledged full cooperation with law enforcement, promising “institutional reform” to ensure accountability.
Prof. Triveni Singh concludes:
“This case is more than a crime; it’s a systemic warning. Unless recruitment processes become transparent, digitally verifiable, and accountable, such fraud networks will continue to exploit the dreams and desperation of India’s youth.”
