Lucknow: In a startling case of high-level impersonation, a man posing as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer was arrested in Lucknow after successfully deceiving several organizations, gaining VIP access to official events, and maintaining a fabricated identity as a senior bureaucrat. Identified as Saurabh Tripathi, the impostor projected himself on social media as a cabinet secretary and ran multiple IAS-tagged profiles to create an illusion of legitimacy.
Multiple Fake Identities and a Fleet of Luxury Cars
Police raids at Tripathi’s residence uncovered a staggering display of fraud–
- A Range Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz, and three Toyota Innovas – all fitted with red beacons, forged number plates, and fake secretariat passes.
- At least one vehicle claimed to belong to a Joint Secretary, Government of India.
- A laptop, forged Aadhaar and driving licences, multiple debit cards, and visiting cards with senior-level designations were also seized.
- A bag containing 25 forged documents and fake entry passes added to the evidence pointing to a highly organized deception operation.
NGO Access and ‘Chief Guest’ Appearances
Tripathi cleverly infiltrated official spaces by leveraging connections with NGOs, which provided him access to high-profile events in various states. He frequently appeared as the “Chief Guest”, delivering speeches and dropping hints about an imminent UP cadre posting. His VIP treatment and protocol-driven appearances went largely unquestioned due to his well-maintained façade.
Social Media as a Weapon
Tripathi’s social media strategy was central to his fraud.
- On LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), he claimed to be the cabinet secretary.
- On Facebook, he operated several IAS-tagged profiles.
- Photos of him with dignitaries like the Governor of Assam and the Chief Minister of Goa were used to reinforce his credibility.
Authorities are currently investigating whether these images were authentic or digitally manipulated.
“He cleverly exploited VIP protocols to appear genuine,” said investigators.
The Fall: A Businessman’s Doubt Sparks Investigation
The deception began to unravel when a Lucknow-based businessman contacted Tripathi for official work but found his behavior suspicious. He alerted a senior IAS officer, prompting the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) to conduct discreet background checks.
The investigation eventually led to Tripathi’s arrest. According to DCP (Crime) Kamlesh Tripathi, a multi-agency probe is now underway, analyzing emails, bank accounts, and property trails to trace victims across states.
“We’re tracking financial transactions and digital communications to identify how many people he duped,” said DCP Tripathi.
So far, at least six individuals have come forward, alleging they were promised official favors in exchange for money or influence.
Double Life: Corporate Job Behind the Curtain
Despite his fraudulent persona, police revealed that Tripathi was employed as a Project Manager at ABM Knowledgeware Ltd., working on the Double Entry Accounting System project for the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Local Bodies – a real and verifiable identity.
In a separate FIR filed at Sushant Golf City police station, Tripathi is accused of falsely presenting himself as a Special Secretary, Urban Development Department, on social media.
His wife, a BTech graduate working in a private firm, reportedly had no knowledge of his dual life. The family, including two children, lived in Lucknow under the guise of respectability built on a web of lies.
Read Also: ‘Take My Visiting Card, I’m an IAS’ – What Happened Next Shocked Lucknow Police
The Bigger Picture: A Career Built on Deception
As the investigation expands across multiple states, authorities are now attempting to map the extent of Tripathi’s impersonation, the number of events he attended as a fake official, and the individuals or institutions he may have defrauded.
What started as a case of social media misrepresentation has now unveiled a carefully curated life of high-level impersonation, complete with luxury vehicles, fake IDs, and public appearances – all built on deception.
