UP STF Arrests Fraudster Who Duped Army Job Aspirants with Fake Medical Schemes
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) made a significant arrest on Wednesday, apprehending a fraudster involved in a sophisticated scam targeting unemployed youth seeking recruitment into the Indian Army. The operation, conducted in the Cantonment area of Lucknow, followed a crucial tip-off that led to the capture of the accused.
Details of the Arrest and Accused
The arrested individual has been identified as Alok Tiwari, a resident of Chhibramau in Kannauj district. During the arrest, authorities recovered five original mark sheets, one fake Aadhaar card, one genuine Aadhaar card, and an ATM card from his possession. Tiwari was operating under a fake identity, which he used to conceal his true intentions and evade detection.
Modus Operandi of the Fraud
According to STF sleuths, Alok Tiwari specifically targeted young men who had been rejected during the initial medical examination for Army recruitment. He would identify these candidates around recruitment centers and lure them with false promises of clearing their medical tests. For this service, he charged exorbitant fees ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per candidate, often handling batches of 7–8 youths simultaneously.
To manipulate medical outcomes, Tiwari employed deceptive tactics. For candidates with trembling hands, he allegedly administered Durabolin injections approximately an hour before their tests to temporarily suppress symptoms. Those with ear-related issues were taken for cleaning procedures to improve their chances of passing the medical examination, as explained by Deepak Kumar Singh, deputy SP of Lucknow STF.
Financial Exploitation and Coercion
After these interventions, candidates were sent back for their medical tests. Those who passed were not refunded any money, while those who failed received only partial refunds after Tiwari deducted Rs 10,000–20,000 to prevent them from filing complaints. To ensure victims did not back out or report the fraud, he retained their original mark sheets, effectively coercing them into paying the demanded amounts.
Legal Action and Public Advisory
Alok Tiwari has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police have issued a strong advisory to job aspirants, urging them to remain cautious and avoid falling prey to fraudulent agents who promise guaranteed recruitment in defense services. They emphasized the importance of verifying credentials and reporting any suspicious activities to authorities immediately.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by unemployed youth in their pursuit of secure employment and underscores the need for increased vigilance and awareness against such scams.
