Indore: A city-based doctor was allegedly duped of nearly Rs 1.8 crore by a group of individuals on promise of govt job for his wife. “A complaint was filed by a Rajendra Nagar resident, Dr Subhash Sonkesaria, who stated that between 2018 and June 2024, he was lured into paying huge sum of money to one Rakesh Suman and his associates. They claimed to have influence in railways and archaeology department in Bhopal and duped him of Rs 1.8 crore on the promise of job,” said additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya.In his complaint, the doctor said that he first came in contact with Rakesh in 2018 at Index Medical College, where the latter introduced himself as a railway employee and assured him of a job for his wife. Over the years, Rakesh introduced him to several others who posed as senior railway officials, including Ratna Tiwari, Seema Tiwari, Urmila Tiwari, DK Singh, Lal Bahadur Saxena, and Manoj Kurmi. These individuals, equipped with forged ID cards, appointment letters, and promotion orders, convinced the victim and his family of their authenticity.The doctor further claimed that Rakesh repeatedly demanded money, citing different reasons such as job processing charges, bribes, CBI clearance, and even under the name of govt schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana. Between 2018 and 2024, the accused allegedly siphoned off huge amount from the complainant and his relatives, using fabricated documents and even making calls from govt-registered numbers to gain credibility.Dr Sonkesaria eventually paid over Rs 1.72 crore through online transfers and cash deposits, besides smaller payments that brought the total to around Rs 1.8 crore. During the inquiry, the purported appointment and identity documents issued in the name of the archaeology department in Bhopal were sent for verification, where authorities confirmed that no such orders were ever issued and that the documents were entirely forged.Bank statements revealed multiple transactions to accounts linked to the accused, while the complainant also provided electronic evidence, including WhatsApp chats, audio recordings, and copies of forged identity cards. Police officials stated that the accused systematically used fake documents to cheat the complainant and his relatives under the guise of securing jobs in govt departments.Based on the evidence, the crime branch registered an FIR under relevant sections of the BNS against Rakesh Suman and others. The complainant has also urged authorities to constitute a special investigation team to probe whether more people have fallen prey to the racket. Police said further investigation is underway to trace other members of the gang and recover defrauded money.