A fake government identity, a convincing story and the appearance of having powerful connections can be enough to make an ordinary person look like a senior official. Recent cases in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar show how people accused of impersonating IAS officers allegedly used forged documents, social media posts, luxury vehicles and claims of political or government connections to gain trust and, in some cases, money. The most recent case to draw attention is that of Tripti Singh Rajput in Bhopal. Police say she allegedly posed as an IAS officer working as an additional director in the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and used that identity to approach people with promises of government jobs, tourism property leases and access to officials. Her alleged deception came under scrutiny after a video showing three women claiming to be IAS officers circulated online.
The video that exposed the alleged fake IAS identity
In the video, three women are seen talking to the camera and claiming to be IAS officers. One of them says they had come to attend the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha but were filming outside because photography was not allowed inside. Another woman jokes that nobody would believe they were IAS officers by looking at their behaviour. The police investigation later found that the video was not filmed outside the Vidhan Sabha as claimed. The location was traced to a gallery inside the Anthropological Museum complex. The two other women later told police that Rajput had asked them to act as IAS officers. They also alleged that Rajput had taken ₹3 lakh from each of them on the promise of helping them become IAS officers.Rajput was arrested on August 23 by Chanderi police in Ashoknagar along with her brother Sudhanshu Singh. Police have registered multiple FIRs in Bhopal and Ashoknagar. During a search of her residence, investigators recovered purported government identity cards, letterheads, joining documents, trophies and mementoes describing her as a trainee IAS officer. They also found a Toyota Innova carrying a strip marked “Government of India”. Police are also examining a laptop from which files were allegedly deleted, along with phone records and financial transactions. Investigators have identified two people who allegedly supplied fake documents and are checking whether others were involved. Police are also examining a purported fake CBI identity card and whether it may have been created using AI. One complaint alleges that Rajput, her brother and an associate took around ₹49 lakh from a Seoni resident in instalments by promising to arrange a lease for an MP Tourism hotel. The promised lease allegedly never materialised.
In Indore, a fake collector identity allegedly helped him leave a hotel bill unpaid
Just days before the Bhopal case came to light, Madhya Pradesh Police arrested 28-year-old Himanshu Panchal, a resident of Ahmedabad, for allegedly posing as an IAS officer in Indore. According to police, Panchal hosted a party for 16 people at a five-star hotel. When the bill had to be paid, he allegedly claimed that his personal assistant would settle it later and left without paying. The hotel staff became suspicious and contacted the police. Police later searched his rented house and found a black nameplate carrying the name “IAS Raj Soni” and the designation “District Collector”. Panchal allegedly failed to produce documents proving that he was an IAS officer. He was booked under Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly personating a public servant. Police are also investigating whether he used the false identity to obtain money or other favours.
From a fake government career to a fake marriage and an alleged Doval link
The pattern is not limited to Madhya Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, Pritam Kumar Nishad of Etawah allegedly posed as an IAS officer while seeking a bride through a matrimonial group. According to police, he shared purported interview videos, office photographs and pictures with politicians to make his identity appear genuine. The woman’s family later alleged that they gave Rs 15 lakh as dowry, including Rs 10 lakh in cash and another Rs 5 lakh around the wedding. Nishad allegedly fled after the marriage and has been booked for cheating, forgery and dowry-related offences. In Bihar, police arrested Manish Gupta in Khagaria in August after he allegedly posed as an IAS officer and claimed to be an undercover agent working under National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Police said he produced a Central Vigilance Commission card and an alleged IAS identity card, but preliminary checks found the claims to be false. A search of his residence led to the seizure of a Tesla, an SUV, more than 31 litres of imported liquor and other items.These cases are different in their details, but they reveal a common tactic: creating an image of authority before using that image to gain trust, influence or money. Fake IDs, official-looking vehicles, staged photographs, social media content and claims of connections to powerful institutions can make an invented identity appear believable. For people dealing with someone claiming to be a government officer, the cases also highlight the importance of verification. An official designation, government-looking ID card or photograph with a public figure is not, by itself, proof of someone’s identity or position. In cases involving jobs, contracts, property leases or other financial transactions, independent verification through the concerned government department can help expose a false claim before money or documents change hands.
