AP CID Busts Fake Job Racket, Man Held for Cheating 60 Job Seekers
The Andhra Pradesh CID Cyber Crimes Police have arrested Saladi Ram Gopal, accused of cheating unemployed job seekers by promising government jobs through a fake recruitment racket. The accused allegedly collected nearly ₹93 lakh from around 60 victims by posing as a recruiter linked to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
According to the CID, Gopal allegedly began the fraud in 2021 by publishing a newspaper advertisement claiming that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was conducting recruitment. He provided a fake email address for applications and later contacted candidates whose details were collected through it. The accused allegedly assured them of government jobs in return for money.
Investigators said Gopal prepared and circulated forged recruitment notifications, certificate verification letters, interview call letters, appointment orders and training documents. The documents allegedly carried the Central Government emblem, the ministry’s name and the official address of the National Health Mission, Andhra Pradesh, to make them appear genuine.
Several victims reportedly believed the documents and even visited the APIIC office in Mangalagiri for verification and joining formalities.
The CID investigation found that Gopal allegedly recruited individuals through OLX and used their bank accounts to receive money from victims. He reportedly offered account holders around 30% commission while keeping the remaining amount. Their ATM cards were also allegedly retained to withdraw the funds.
To establish credibility, Gopal reportedly opened a bank account in the name of ‘Ayushman Bharat Foundation’ and used rented cars while attending meetings, allegedly presenting himself as a senior government official.
Investigators also identified multiple fake email IDs and around 15 mobile numbers obtained using forged KYC documents. Technical analysis reportedly showed that nearly 278 IMEI numbers were linked to one mobile number.
Police seized two mobile phones, a laptop, eight ATM cards and several forged recruitment documents from the accused. The CID said Gopal frequently switched off his phones and moved around Vijayawada to evade detection. However, digital footprints and technical surveillance eventually helped investigators trace and arrest him.
Preliminary investigation indicates that about ₹93 lakh was collected from 60 victims. The CID said around 16 cases involving similar job frauds have been registered against Gopal in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Investigators are examining whether more victims or associates are involved. They are also tracing his bank transactions and properties after finding that some of the alleged fraud proceeds were invested in real estate.
The CID has warned unemployed youth against paying intermediaries for government jobs and advised candidates to verify recruitment notifications only through official government websites.