Anakapalle Police Uncover Elaborate Job Scam Using Fake Chief Minister Audio
In a startling revelation from Visakhapatnam, the Anakapalle district police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated job scam operation that exploited the aspirations of unemployed youth. The fraudsters employed a deceptive tactic involving a fabricated audio clip impersonating the chief minister to gain the trust of their victims.
Arrests Made in Multi-Lakh Rupee Fraud Case
The police have apprehended two individuals identified as E Srinu, hailing from Prakasam district, and Sk Saleem, a resident of Vijayawada. According to Anakapalle district police chief Tuhin Sinha, the duo falsely boasted of having high-level connections within the Chief Minister's Office. They specifically targeted gullible unemployed youth, promising them coveted government jobs in exchange for substantial sums of money.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The fraudulent scheme came to light when a woman, diligently preparing for the DSC (District Selection Committee) exam for government teacher positions, was approached by Srinu. He cunningly befriended her husband and claimed to possess strong ties with senior officials in the CM's office. Srinu audaciously promised to secure an SGT (Secondary Grade Teacher) post in the upcoming February 2025 DSC recruitment, demanding a staggering Rs 15 lakh for his services.
To bolster his credibility and manipulate the victims, Srinu utilized a fake audio clip that was crafted to sound like a genuine conversation with the chief minister. This audio was a key tool in his arsenal to build trust and dispel any initial doubts. As suspicions began to arise among the victims, Srinu escalated his deception by orchestrating a conference call with another individual who impersonated Bhargav Chowdary, the Personal Assistant to the HRD Minister.
Financial Loss and Police Intervention
Convinced by these elaborate ruses, the victim proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 12.13 lakh to the fraudsters through several transactions. However, when the promised government teaching job failed to materialize as assured, the victim took decisive action and approached the Rolugunta police station to file a formal complaint.
Upon receiving the complaint, the police launched a thorough investigation into the matter. Their diligent efforts led to the swift arrest of the accused individuals. The subsequent probe has uncovered disturbing details about Srinu's criminal history, revealing him to be a habitual offender in such fraudulent activities.
Broader Implications and Previous Offenses
Further investigation has exposed that Srinu had previously collected approximately Rs 14 lakh from two other individuals by making similar false promises of securing jobs for them in Vijayawada. This pattern of behavior highlights a systematic approach to exploiting the desperation of job seekers across the region.
The arrest serves as a stark warning to the public about the sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters in the digital age. Authorities urge citizens to exercise extreme caution and verify the authenticity of any job offers, especially those involving high-level government connections or requiring upfront payments.
