Chandigarh: Punjab Police have arrested a couple accused of allegedly impersonating senior police officials and cheating job seekers by promising government appointments in exchange for money. Investigators allege that the accused collected ₹31.5 lakh from victims by claiming they could arrange positions in the police department, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Inspector, and Head Constable posts.

The accused have been identified as Anmol Ratan and his wife Mandeep Kaur. Police said the couple was traced through technical surveillance after allegedly avoiding arrest by frequently changing locations and mobile phone numbers. Both accused have been taken into custody for further questioning.

The allegations in the case are under investigation and have not been proven in court.

Complaint Led to Investigation

According to police, the case began after a complaint was filed on July 17, 2025, by Raveen Kaur, a resident of Baupur Bet village in Shahkot.

The complainant alleged that Anmol Ratan introduced himself as a senior police officer and claimed he could secure government positions for her family members. She alleged that he promised a DSP post for her, an Inspector-level position for her niece Sandeep Kaur, and a Head Constable post for her brother Hardeep Singh.

Believing these claims, the family allegedly paid ₹31.5 lakh. However, the promised appointments were never provided, leading to the registration of a police case.

Financial Trail and Arrests

Police officials said that after the FIR was registered, the accused allegedly went into hiding and attempted to evade investigation by changing their contact details and locations.

During the probe, investigators reportedly traced financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud. Police claimed that ₹3 lakh from the suspected proceeds was transferred into the bank account of Anmol Ratan’s father. He was arrested on June 23, 2026, and later sent to judicial custody.

Further investigation reportedly led to the arrest of Anmol Ratan and Mandeep Kaur on July 8.

Fake Identity Documents Recovered

During interrogation, police alleged that Anmol Ratan admitted to creating fake IPS identity cards and forged official documents to convince victims of his authority.

Investigators are also examining claims that similar frauds may have been carried out against other individuals. Authorities are verifying whether additional victims or associates are connected to the alleged scheme.

Police said they recovered electronic devices, forged identification cards, and other documents from the accused. The seized material has been sent for forensic analysis to determine the full scope of the alleged operation.

Probe into Alleged Use of Fraud Money

Investigators are also tracking how the alleged proceeds were used. Police claim that approximately ₹17 lakh was invested in a ready-made garment business in Shahkot allegedly linked to a relative of the accused.

The investigation has further identified alleged spending of ₹1.10 lakh on a Maruti Ciaz car and around ₹10 lakh towards the purchase of a house in Nakodar. Authorities are examining these transactions as part of the ongoing financial investigation.

Experts Warn Against Recruitment Scams

Cybercrime experts have warned that fraudsters often exploit public trust in government institutions by using fake identities, forged documents, and false promises of official appointments.

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh advised job aspirants to rely only on official recruitment notifications and authorised government channels. He stressed that genuine government appointments are never secured through private payments or personal connections.

Investigation Continues

Punjab Police said the investigation is ongoing to determine whether the accused were involved in a wider recruitment fraud network. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further action will be taken if additional evidence emerges.

The accused remain subject to legal proceedings, and the allegations against them will be decided by the court.

Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh: A suspected case of identity fraud has surfaced during the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Mass Marriage Scheme in Kaushambi district after biometric verification reportedly detected a mismatch between the registered groom and the person who appeared at the wedding ceremony.

Following a complaint, police have registered a case against three individuals and launched an investigation. The district administration has cancelled the marriage registration and ordered a detailed inquiry into the alleged irregularity. Officials have clarified that the matter is under investigation and no final conclusions have been drawn so far.

The incident took place in the Saini police station area of Sirathu tehsil during a government-organised mass marriage event, where around 230 couples participated. According to officials, the bride and her originally registered groom had already been enrolled under the scheme, but the groom was reportedly unable to attend the ceremony.

Investigators suspect that another person was brought to the venue in place of the registered groom. The alleged substitution came to light when mandatory biometric fingerprint authentication was conducted during the marriage verification process.

While the bride’s biometric details reportedly matched government records, the fingerprints of the man accompanying her did not correspond with the registered groom’s identity. The mismatch alerted officials, who immediately stopped the process and informed the police.

Police Investigate Alleged Scheme Misuse

The complaint that led to the FIR was filed by Shivam Valmiki, the brother of the young man who allegedly appeared as the substitute groom. According to the complaint, his minor brother, Sunny Valmiki, was allegedly persuaded to participate in the ceremony after being promised a share of the financial benefits linked to the marriage assistance scheme.

The complaint alleges that photographs were taken during the event to make the ceremony appear genuine. The police case names Quraishan Bano, Nagma Bano and Amarjeet Maurya, who are accused of involvement in a possible conspiracy to obtain benefits under the government welfare programme through false representation.

Authorities are currently examining documents, statements and other evidence to determine the exact sequence of events and identify anyone else who may have been involved.

Administration Orders Detailed Verification

District officials said preliminary checks showed that the bride and her intended groom were already registered under the mass marriage programme. However, after the registered groom failed to appear, another individual allegedly participated in his place.

The administration has initiated an internal review to examine whether there were any procedural failures during registration or verification and whether the scheme was deliberately targeted for fraudulent benefit claims.

Experts Highlight Role of Biometric Security

Cybersecurity specialists have pointed out that biometric authentication has become an important tool for protecting government welfare schemes from identity-related fraud.

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said that fingerprint-based verification can help identify impersonation attempts and strengthen transparency in public assistance programmes. He added that biometric checks should be supported by document verification and additional physical verification measures to reduce the possibility of misuse.

Investigation Continues

Police and administrative authorities have confirmed that the inquiry is ongoing. Officials stated that further legal action will be taken if evidence establishes the involvement of additional individuals.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and court proceedings. Any responsibility for wrongdoing will be determined only after completion of the legal process.

New Delhi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has carried out searches at 19 locations across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Srinagar as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged online investment fraud and fake work-from-home schemes.

The searches were conducted on July 10 and 11 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the agency, the operation covered 16 locations in Tamil Nadu, two in Kerala and one in Srinagar. The case originated from two cybercrime complaints registered by the Tamil Nadu and Telangana Police.

Victims Allegedly Duped Through Fake Investment Platforms

According to ED officials, the accused allegedly attracted victims through fraudulent online investment platforms and work-from-home opportunities by promising unusually high returns and attractive earning opportunities.

Investigators claim that victims transferred nearly ₹14.95 crore into bank accounts allegedly linked to the accused. The agency is examining the flow of these funds and the methods allegedly used to conceal their origin.

Funds Allegedly Routed Through Mule Accounts and Crypto Channels

The ED has alleged that the suspected proceeds of crime were moved through multiple bank accounts, shell entities and cryptocurrency channels to disguise the financial trail.

Investigators have identified Roshan Fiaz as one of the individuals allegedly involved in the suspected laundering network. The allegations against him and others are part of an ongoing investigation and remain subject to judicial review.

The agency claims that several bank accounts were opened shortly before receiving fraudulent funds and later closed after transactions were completed. Officials are examining whether these accounts were allegedly used as part of a wider money laundering arrangement.

Digital Evidence and Financial Records Seized

During the searches, ED teams recovered documents, electronic devices, laptops, mobile phones, banking records, company-related documents and information connected with suspected shell companies.

Investigators also collected details related to cryptocurrency wallets and virtual digital assets to trace the movement of funds allegedly generated through cyber fraud.

According to the ED, assets worth around ₹3.35 crore in cryptocurrency and cash amounting to ₹14.50 lakh were seized during the operation. The agency also froze bank accounts containing more than ₹40 lakh.

Probe Focuses on Complete Money Trail

Officials said forensic analysis of digital devices, banking transactions and cryptocurrency records is underway to identify additional beneficiaries and determine the full extent of the alleged financial network.

Cybercrime experts have highlighted that online investment scams and fake employment frauds are increasingly using sophisticated laundering methods involving mule accounts, shell companies and digital currencies.

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said that effective investigation of such cases requires advanced digital forensics, blockchain analysis, financial intelligence and coordination between multiple enforcement agencies.

He added that tracking the movement of illegal funds quickly is crucial for improving recovery efforts and strengthening legal action against organised cyber fraud networks.

The ED has stated that the investigation is continuing and further action will be taken based on evidence collected during the probe. The accused will be subject to due legal process, and final determination of guilt will be made by the competent court.