Thiruvananthapuram: A massive recruitment scam has come to light in Kerala, where fraudsters used the names of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the central government institution Sree Chitra to dupe job seekers with forged appointment memos. The scam, reportedly executed around the PSC office in Thiruvananthapuram, involved collecting large sums of money from candidates, including doctors, nurses and teachers.

Investigations suggest a major racket behind the scam, where fake recruitment orders were issued to lure applicants. Some candidates realised they had been duped when they arrived at Sree Chitra on September 12 to join their supposed jobs.

The scam came to light after residents of Elappara in Idukki filed a police complaint stating that they were cheated of ₹15 lakh under the pretext that their son and son-in-law would be provided jobs. On the same day, around 50 candidates came to Sree Chitra claiming PSC recruitment orders.

A resident of Vagamon reportedly sold her house and paid money to secure a teaching job for her daughter. The complaint names BJP leader Benny Peruvanthanam, along with Rajesh, Faisal and Augustine, as the alleged perpetrators. Half of the money was reportedly given at Rajesh’s house in Nemom here which is now locked. Their mobile phones have also been inactive for a long time.

Victims called to local PSC office

A taxi driver from Elappara had reportedly met Benny Peruvanthanam a year ago, who promised a job for his son in exchange for money. The victim later gave certificates and half the money to secure a post for his son, trusting the scammers. Believing that recruitment was possible at the Idukki Pareemavu Government Ayurvedic Hospital, the victims were called to the local PSC office, where the rest of the money was collected. The scammer, posing as Bhavanachandran and wearing a tag resembling that of PSC officials, collected the money from a car near the office, claiming the area was under CCTV surveillance. Additional money was later paid to secure a post for a daughter-in-law at Sree Chitra.

Forgery that outdone originals

The scammers convinced candidates that exams would take place but assured them that their forms could be submitted through intermediaries with cash. They sent a rank list via WhatsApp in August, followed by a forged PSC appointment order. These documents, including government seals and signatures, outperformed the originals in appearance.

Benny Peruvanthanam remains silent

BJP leader Benny Peruvanthanam, however, has not responded to allegations linking him to the scam. According to a complaint filed by a family from Bonami at Vagamon Police Station, Benny was present when money was first exchanged.

Efforts to contact him for comment were unsuccessful. Benny Peruvanthanam, former general secretary of Idukki DCC, joined the BJP in May last year.

Complaint initially ignored

The family from Bonami had initially filed a complaint on October 24, reporting that money was collected under false promises of PSC jobs. While a case was registered, little progress was made until Matrubhumi News reported the matter, prompting authorities to act.

Meanwhile, Idukki SP K M Sabu Mathew confirmed that steps have been taken to trace the accused involved in the scam.