In a significant win for law enforcement, Lucknow Police have arrested Dr. Vivek Mishra, a notorious fraudster who posed as a senior IAS officer and defrauded more than 150 people across multiple states. The arrest took place near Kamta Bus Station following coordinated efforts by the local police and the CID. According to officials, the accused had been absconding for over six years and operated a sophisticated interstate job scam worth approximately Rs. 80 crore.
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Long-standing complaint finally sees action
The case first came to light in 2019 when Dr. Ashutosh Mishra, a Supreme Court lawyer and resident of Vikalp Khand, filed a complaint at Chinhat Police Station. Mr. Ashutosh had met the accused in June 2018 through family acquaintances. Dr. Vivek Mishra falsely claimed to be a 2014-batch IAS officer serving as Principal Secretary to the Gujarat government. He even alleged that his sisters were IPS officers in the Gujarat cadre—claims that were later found to be completely fabricated.
Use of social media to build fake credibility
According to Lucknow Police, Dr. Mishra created elaborate fake identities on social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. He often posed as a high-ranking government officer to lure victims—especially families seeking matrimonial alliances or employment. Once trust was gained, he would demand hefty sums under the guise of job placement or marriage formalities.
Authorities also recovered multiple forged documents, including fake appointment letters for the positions of Public Relations Officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sports Quota) in the Gujarat Home Ministry. These were handed to Mr. Ashutosh, who discovered their falsity during a document verification process.
Rs. 80 crore scam spread across multiple states
Investigations have revealed that the scam wasn’t limited to Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat. The accused built an extensive network across various states, preying on unemployed youth and their families under the promise of secure government jobs. Many victims lost their life savings, with individual losses ranging from lakhs to even crores. The scam’s scale and sophistication have made it one of the largest impersonation frauds in recent years.
CID tracks fraudster after 6-year-long hunt
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been pursuing the case since 2019 and finally succeeded in apprehending the accused after tracking digital footprints and bank transactions. Police are now analyzing Dr. Mishra’s financial records and electronic devices to identify co-conspirators and additional victims. Officials confirm that further arrests may follow.
Bureaucratic impersonation raises systemic concerns
The case underscores the growing misuse of civil service identities for fraudulent activities. The impersonation of high-ranking IAS and IPS officers not only undermines public trust but also highlights the need for tighter verification processes in both matrimonial and employment sectors. Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to verify government claims via official portals and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
