Status: Not ApprovedHEAD: 25_Luc_PC_Uttar pradesh stf arrests army recruitment fraudster in lucknowByline: Pathikrit ChakrabortyUttar pradesh stf arrests army recruitment fraudster in lucknowLucknow: Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Wednesday arrested a fraudster involved in duping unemployed youth on the pretext of securing their recruitment into the Indian Army. The man was apprehended from the Cantonment area of Lucknow following specific intelligence inputs.**Accused Used Fake Identity to Target Aspirants**The arrested individual was identified as Alok Tiwari, son of Ved Prakash, a resident of Bhogpur Nigoha under Vishungarh police station limits in Chhibramau, Kannauj district. He operated under a fake identity as “Akash Kumar”, claiming to be from Gova Sataura in Kannauj to conceal his real identity.**Arrest Based on Intelligence Inputs**According to STF officials, inputs were received over the past few days regarding a gang defrauding unemployed youths in Lucknow and adjoining districts by promising them recruitment in the Army. Acting on these inputs, Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Singh of STF Lucknow was assigned to gather intelligence and initiate action.On February 24, intelligence revealed that Alok had arrived near recruitment areas to collect original documents from a youth. Acting swiftly, a team led by Sub-Inspector Tej Bahadur Singh, along with SI Harish Singh Chauhan and other STF personnel, laid a trap and arrested him at around 6:24 pm between Usman Chowk and Sadar under Lucknow Cantonment Police Station limits. During the arrest, STF recovered several items from Akash, 5 original mark sheets, 1 fake Aadhaar card, 1 genuine Aadhaar card , 1 ATM card.**Modus Operandi: Exploiting Rejected Candidates**“Alok confessed to targeting young men who came for Army recruitment and were rejected in the initial medical examination. He identified such candidates around recruitment centres and lured them with promises of clearing medical tests. He charged between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh from each candidate, often handling batches of 7–8 youths at a time. To manipulate medical outcomes, candidates with trembling hands were allegedly administered Durabolin injections about 1 hour before tests to temporarily suppress symptoms. Those with ear-related issues were taken for cleaning procedures to improve their chances of passing, said Deputy SP, Deepak Kumar. After these interventions, candidates were sent again for medical tests. Those who passed were not refunded any money, while those who failed were partially refunded after deducting Rs 10,000–20,000 to avoid complaints. To ensure victims did not back out or report the fraud he retained their original mark sheets, effectively forcing them to pay the demanded amount.A case was registered against the at Lucknow Cantonment police station under FIR No 20/2026, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sections 319(2), 318(4), 337, 338, 340(2)) along with Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act.Police advised job aspirants to remain cautious and avoid falling prey to such fraudulent agents promising guaranteed recruitment in defence services. MSID:: 128780227 413 |
