Raigarh: In Raigarh, a major job fraud racket has come to light where an accused posing as a “minister’s relative” allegedly duped multiple victims of ₹22.70 lakh by promising government jobs. The case highlights how unemployed youth were targeted through false assurances and manipulated into paying large sums for non-existent positions.
Complainant Samaru Ram Tandon alleged that in April 2025, he met Kumar Ram Thakur and his wife Sohdra Bai Thakur. The accused introduced himself as a close relative of a state minister and claimed to have strong connections in the secretariat. On this pretext, he began collecting applications and contact details of “eligible” candidates.
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Hoping to secure a data entry operator job for his son, Samaru Ram started paying money as demanded by the accused. Gradually, four more individuals—Pintu Lahre, Rajesh Sahu, Sushil Chauhan, and Loknath Chauhan—were brought into the scheme. All were assured that their relatives would be placed in government jobs.
The accused initially demanded ₹5 lakh per job. Samaru Ram paid ₹4 lakh in cash, while the remaining amount was transferred through digital modes. Later, all applicants were called to Bhadrasai village in Mahasamund district, where they were shown fake appointment letters and pressured to pay the remaining amount.
On December 8, 2025, the victims collectively paid an additional ₹8.77 lakh, taking the total amount to ₹22.70 lakh. The accused promised that joining in the secretariat would take place on December 12, 2025. However, no such process materialized, and the appointments remained only on paper.
When the victims followed up, the accused cited the Assembly session as the reason for delaying the joining process, claiming it would be completed within a week. Weeks passed with repeated excuses and vague assurances, raising suspicion among the victims.
Eventually, Samaru Ram, along with his family and other victims, visited the accused’s village to demand a refund. It is alleged that the accused and his associates not only refused to return the money but also misbehaved with them. It was at this point that the victims realized they had been systematically defrauded and decided to take legal action.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including cheating and criminal conspiracy. However, the accused have not yet been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to trace them using technical evidence and leads.
Investigations have revealed that the accused used forged appointment letters and social media channels to create an illusion of legitimacy. Authorities suspect that the gang may have been involved in similar job frauds in other districts as well.
The incident has sparked concern among job seekers in the region. Experts say that high unemployment and limited opportunities often push people toward shortcuts, making them vulnerable to such scams.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh explains, “In such job fraud cases, criminals create an illusion of influence and authority. By claiming political or official connections, they psychologically manipulate victims into trusting them and paying money without verification.”
Authorities have urged the public to rely only on official recruitment channels for government jobs and avoid paying any kind of fees or bribes. People are also advised to report any suspicious offers immediately.
Investigators are currently examining bank accounts, digital transactions, and call records to trace the money trail and uncover the full extent of the network. More revelations are expected in the coming days, which may expose a wider job scam operation.
