On Thursday, the Gujarat CID Crime Branch exposed a significant scam amounting to Rs3.25 crore, orchestrated by a group of fraudsters who lured victims with promises of Class-1 government jobs in exchange for substantial payments.
A senior official revealed that the gang misled individuals by claiming connections with the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC), asserting they could secure prestigious roles, including Deputy Collector. The scam unraveled after numerous victims reported being deceived by fake job notifications and appointment letters.
“The fraudsters organized meetings under the pretense of official government business, even taking some victims to hospitals for fake medical examinations to lend an air of legitimacy. They also impersonated senior government officials during phone calls and arranged hotel meetings, often leaving victims waiting for hours,” the official stated.
The CID Crime Branch has filed cases against six individuals, including Yogesh Chandulal Patel, Jaldip Bharat Tailor, Jitendra B. Prajapati, Hitesh Ankit Pandya, and S.K. Prajapati. Investigators discovered that the gang defrauded approximately 40 to 50 people, promising government perks such as luxury vehicles, housing, and higher salaries in exchange for bribes.
Each accused collected hefty sums, up toRs4 lakh per victim, claiming these payments were necessary to secure higher salaries in government positions. The CID Crime Branch has initiated a comprehensive investigation, with further actions anticipated as authorities aim to bring all perpetrators to justice.
In a related development, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Surat Police uncovered a hawala racket involving approximately Rs100 crore based in the Athwalines area. This operation involved six individuals transferring hawala funds from abroad via Surat-based Angadia firms and cryptocurrency. Investigators have traced connections to several countries, including China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and South Africa, highlighting the scam’s international dimensions.
The accused reportedly received overseas funds, converted them into Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency, and transferred them back to various countries through crypto wallets. Authorities believe that more suspects may be involved as investigations continue.
