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Aligarh | A fresh case of cyber fraud has emerged from Lodha block in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district, where a schoolteacher already facing disciplinary action was cheated of ₹50,000 by a man posing as an Uttar Pradesh Secretariat officer.
The victim, Shamsul Hasan, a teacher at Upper Primary School, Shahpur Kutub, had earlier been suspended for allegedly refusing to sing “Vande Mataram” during a school assembly. Police say the cybercriminal exploited this controversy and the teacher’s legal anxiety to carry out the fraud.
Imposter Offered “Help” in Disciplinary Case
According to the complaint, Hasan received a phone call on November 18 from an unknown number. The call came after the school’s headmistress informed him that the caller wished to speak regarding his case.
The number, Hasan was told, had reached the school through official channels — allegedly forwarded by the Assistant Basic Shiksha Adhikari (ABSA) after the caller contacted the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) office, claiming to be a Secretariat official.
Once connected, the caller:
- Introduced himself as a UP Secretariat officer
- Questioned Hasan about the Vande Mataram incident
- Warned him that arrest or stricter action was possible
- Claimed he could “settle” the matter discreetly
Hasan told investigators that the caller said a “fine” needed to be paid to avoid escalation.
QR Code Scam: ₹50,000 Paid in Installments
The fraudster initially asked Hasan to transfer ₹2,000, sending a QR code and presenting the payment as an official fine.
Trusting the call’s apparent legitimacy and fearing further action, Hasan made the transfer. Over the next few days, the demands escalated under various pretexts — paperwork, approval delays, and “final clearance.”
Between November 18 and November 23, Hasan transferred amounts in multiple transactions, totalling ₹50,000.
The impostor then instructed him to visit the UP Secretariat in Lucknow to complete formalities.
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Trip to Lucknow Exposes the Fraud
On November 26, Hasan travelled to Lucknow, reaching the Secretariat around 3:30 pm. Despite repeated calls, the alleged officer did not show up.
Shortly thereafter, the phone number became unreachable.
“At that point, I realised I had been cheated,” Hasan stated in his complaint.
Complaint Filed; Education Department Issues Warning
Hasan reported the matter to Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Dr. Rakesh Singh, who advised him to lodge an FIR immediately.
Dr. Singh said:
“No teacher or staff member should transfer money on the basis of phone calls claiming to be from the Secretariat. Such matters must be verified before taking any action.”
The Urdu Teachers’ Association has also taken up the issue. District president Gulzar Ahmad said a delegation joined by Minister of State Danish Ansari would submit a representation to Secretariat officials seeking action.
How the Fraudster Gained Credibility
Preliminary investigations suggest the caller had detailed prior knowledge of Hasan’s suspension and internal education department hierarchy.
Police believe the fraudster:
- First contacted the BSA office, citing the ongoing controversy
- Was redirected to the ABSA, and thereafter to the school
- Gained access to Hasan’s number through official intermediaries
This chain lent credibility to the call, making the scam harder to detect.
Background: The ‘Vande Mataram’ Case
Hasan was suspended after an inquiry found that he had objected to the singing of “Vande Mataram” during a school assembly on November 12, citing religious grounds.
An inspection by the Block Education Officer recorded statements from:
- Headmistress Sushma Rani
- Teachers Premlata, Sabiha Sabir, Mahesh Babu, and Rajkumari
All confirmed that Hasan had opposed the song. Based on the report, BSA Dr. Rakesh Singh ordered Hasan’s suspension pending further inquiry.
Cyber Cell Tracing Call and Payment Trail
Police have now alerted the cybercrime cell to track:
- The mobile number used by the fraudster
- Bank accounts linked to the QR-code payments
- Potential impersonation of government officials
Officials say the case highlights a growing cybercrime pattern where scammers exploit sensitive legal, disciplinary, or bureaucratic situations to extort money.
Conclusion: A New Form of Targeted Cyber Fraud
The incident underscores how cybercriminals are increasingly weaponising official procedures, institutional trust, and personal vulnerability to carry out fraud.
Authorities have issued a renewed advisory urging teachers and government employees to:
- Verify calls claiming to be from the Secretariat or ministries
- Never make payments through QR codes on verbal instructions
- Immediately report suspicious calls to the cyber police
The case serves as a stark reminder that cyber fraud today thrives not just on technology, but on timing, pressure, and misplaced trust.
