In a major crackdown on impersonation and job scam, the Lucknow Police and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) have arrested a man posing as an IAS officer for allegedly defrauding over 150 people of more than ₹80 crore.
The accused, identified as Dr Vivek Mishra, had been pretending to be a Gujarat-cadre IAS officer since 2014. He was arrested near Kamta Tiraha in Lucknow during a joint operation by the police and CID. Officials said the job scam extended across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, and Gujarat, and involved a coordinated network of accomplices.
Promised government jobs and appointments
Investigations revealed that Vivek Mishra introduced himself as a 2014-batch IAS officer, claiming close ties with senior bureaucrats and government departments. He allegedly used fake social media profiles linked to the IAS, IPS, and Ministry of Home Affairs to appear authentic. Through these identities, he offered lucrative job opportunities, transfers, and government appointments under the sports quota.
CID officials also recovered forged appointment letters for roles such as Deputy SP, Public Relations Officer, and Assistant Commissioner.
The fraud came to light in 2018 when Supreme Court advocate Dr Ashutosh Mishra met the accused at a Lucknow hotel. Posing as a job aspirant, Dr Ashutosh, along with a few junior lawyers, conducted a sting operation after Mishra demanded ₹5 lakh for a government position. He even sent fake appointment letters to Dr Ashutosh for posts in the Gujarat Home Department. After verification, the documents were found to be false, leading to a police complaint in 2019.
After the arrest, the CID discovered that Mishra ran the job scam with the help of several accomplices, including his sisters Nidhi and Vidhi Mishra, who posed as IPS and IG officers. Other members, including Anand Kumar, Jayant Kumar, and Meera Rawat, played roles in identity forgery, communication setup, and fund management.
Investigators also found evidence of romance scams run by Mishra under the alias IAS Vivek Anand Mishra. Using fake social media accounts, he allegedly built relationships with women online and extorted money and gifts.
Fake authority and public deception
CID officials said Mishra exploited public trust in government authority to manipulate victims. “This is not just financial fraud; it is an abuse of public trust. People must verify every claim of official identity — no matter how convincing it seems,” an officer said.
The CID has seized fake government seals, forged documents, laptops, and multiple bank accounts linked to the operation. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities tracing the financial trail and identifying new victims.
Officials have urged citizens to stay cautious of individuals claiming government influence or offering jobs for money. “Always verify official identities through legitimate government channels before making any payments,” a CID spokesperson warned.
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