Surat : Conman Arrested for Duping Government Job Seekers via Instagram

Surat  : The Surat police have apprehended a notorious con artist who preyed on the hopes of numerous job seekers through deceptive online advertisements on Instagram. The fraudster, identified as Hardik Jayesh Mistry, a resident of Shanti Punjan Residency in Amroli, Surat, manipulated social media to exploit individuals seeking employment opportunities in government hospitals and health centers in the region.

Mistry, under the guise of a fabricated identity as Dr. Rajiv Mehta, created a fake Instagram account. Presenting himself as the brother of Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel’s personal assistant, he capitalized on the trust associated with the minister’s office. Leveraging this false association, the accused promised lucrative job placements within esteemed medical facilities such as the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)-run SMIMER hospital, New Civil Hospital, and other government health centers.

Employing a cunning strategy, Mistry persuaded unsuspecting job seekers to make online payments through QR codes, swindling a total sum of Rs 2.32 lakh from them in exchange for the purported government job placements.

Authorities revealed that this isn’t the first instance of Mistry’s fraudulent activities. Prior to this arrest, he faced charges and was apprehended by the Rajkot Cyber Crime division for a similar scheme, deceiving an individual to the tune of Rs 32 lakh by promising a job as a BHMS doctor at the Rajkot Civil Hospital.

A source within the Udhana police department disclosed Mistry’s involvement in multiple criminal cases, shedding light on his history as a repeat offender in fraudulent practices.

The Surat police have taken Mistry into custody as investigations into his deceptive operations continue. The arrest serves as a significant milestone in curbing such fraudulent activities that exploit the aspirations of job seekers. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging with online job advertisements and offers, advising verification of the legitimacy of such opportunities to avoid falling victim to such scams.

The police department assured swift action and urged individuals who might have been duped in a similar manner to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.