A 38-year-old suspended Village Administrative Officer (VAO), C Prabhu of Thottiyam village near Kallakurichi, was arrested on Wednesday for his role in a job scam that duped families by promising financial assistance from the Krishnagiri collectorate.
The scam came to light following a complaint by C Monisha (24) from Gareatti village near Anchetti. Monisha, who lost her parents this year, had applied for financial assistance for her school-going brother at the Krishnagiri District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in late July.
After her application, two fraudsters posing as collectorate staff approached Monisha’s family and cheated them of Rs 23,500, claiming the money was for a job and accident compensation related to her parents’ death.
Despite her complaint to the DCPU and Anchetti police, no action was taken for over a month. After a Tamil Nadu newspaper article highlighted the case on September 2, the police reopened the investigation. On the same day, a case was filed against C Prabhu under relevant sections, leading to his arrest.
Police continue to investigate the scam, urging citizens to remain cautious of such fraudulent schemes.
