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Crime
Fake IAS Officer Himanshu Panchal Arrested in Indore for Job Scam
✍️ Amar Ujala · Indore
🗓 03 Sep 2026, 09:17 AM
👁 25
Police in Indore's Lasudia area nabbed Himanshu Panchal, who pretended to be IAS officer Raj Soni and lured job seekers with false government job promises, also operating a similar fraud in Gujarat.
Indore police arrested a man identified as Himanshu Panchal in the Lasudia locality after a probe revealed he was masquerading as an Indian Administrative Service officer named Raj Soni. The suspect used the false identity to convince individuals, particularly drivers, that he could secure them government positions, charging them for the promised jobs.
Investigators said Panchal operated a network that extended beyond Madhya Pradesh, with similar fraudulent activities reported in Gujarat. Victims were reportedly lured with promises of stable government employment, a highly coveted prospect in the region, and were asked to pay fees for processing.
The police action in Lasudia was part of a broader crackdown on job‑related scams that exploit aspirants seeking secure public sector roles. Authorities have warned the public to verify the credentials of any official offering employment assistance and to report suspicious approaches.
No injuries were reported, and the case is being forwarded to the district court for further legal proceedings. The investigation continues to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify any additional accomplices.
Investigators said Panchal operated a network that extended beyond Madhya Pradesh, with similar fraudulent activities reported in Gujarat. Victims were reportedly lured with promises of stable government employment, a highly coveted prospect in the region, and were asked to pay fees for processing.
The police action in Lasudia was part of a broader crackdown on job‑related scams that exploit aspirants seeking secure public sector roles. Authorities have warned the public to verify the credentials of any official offering employment assistance and to report suspicious approaches.
No injuries were reported, and the case is being forwarded to the district court for further legal proceedings. The investigation continues to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify any additional accomplices.