Assam police have dismantled a sophisticated fraud network that duped businesses across India out of crores by issuing fake government work orders. Three individuals, including Ashim Das, the state secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Scheduled Caste Morcha, have been arrested in connection with the elaborate scam.
The arrested suspects are Ashim Das (41), Birinchi Borkotoki (61), a retired publicity officer of the Director of Small Savings, and Niranjan Das (39). They are currently in police custody at Pan Bazar Police Station.
The fraudulent scheme came to light when Prontastic IT, a Noida-based company, filed a complaint alleging it had been defrauded of Rs4 crore. Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, Diganta Barah, noted during a press briefing that “Ashim, who claims to be associated with a political party, is the kingpin of this network.”
The modus operandi involved the accused posing as high-ranking state government officials to deceive businesses. They created counterfeit work orders for supplying items such as blankets, bedsheets, pillow covers, buckets, and mugs. Through agents, they approached businesses outside Assam, offering assistance in securing contracts with Assam’s development councils in exchange for a commission.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of this fraudulent operation and identify additional victims.