Lucknow’s ‘fake IAS’ Saurabh Tripathi flaunted photos with CMs, governors; police probing if images real or morphed

LUCKNOW : Fake IAS officer Saurabh Tripathi projected himself as cabinet secretary on LinkedIn and X; on Facebook, he ran multiple IAS tagged profiles. An NGO gave him access to official events across states, where he often appeared as the “chief guest,” delivering speeches and dropping hints of a soonto-come UP cadre posting.Fleet of luxury cars, fake IDs, forged platesPolice searches at his residence uncovered a Range Rover Defender, a Mercedes Benz, and three Innovas — all beacon-fitted, with forged number plates and fake secretariat passes. One even claimed to belong to a joint secretary, government of India. Officials also seized a laptop, forged Aadhaar and driving licences, beacon lights, debit cards, and visiting cards carrying high-level designations. A bag with 25 forged documents and fake passes further revealed the scale of his operations.Social media clout, VIP lifestyleTripathi’s social media profiles were carefully curated to build credibility. He flaunted pictures with the governor of Assam and the Goa CM, creating the perfect aura of authority. “He cleverly exploited VIP protocols to appear genuine,” investigators said. Police are still probing whether these pictures are real or morphed.The unravelingThe fraud unraveled when a Lucknow businessman, after reaching out to Tripathi for official work, grew suspicious and informed a senior IAS officer.

The Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) began discreet checks, leading to his arrest. DCP Crime Kamlesh Tripathi said a multi-agency probe was underway. “His emails and accounts are under cyber analysis. We’re tracking bank transactions and property trails to identify victims across states,” he said.

At least half a dozen people have already come forward, alleging they were duped with promises of official favours.A parallel identity in LucknowEven as he lived the life of a ‘fake IAS,’ Tripathi was employed as a Project Manager at ABM Knowledgeware Ltd.,

working on the Double Entry Accounting System project at the UP Directorate of Local Bodies. This seems to be his real identity, asper police. However, another FIR was lodged at Sushant Golf City police station for misrepresenting himself as special secretary, Urban Development Department, in social media posts.Police said his wife, a BTech graduate employed in a private firm, appeared unaware of his double life. The couple, along with their two children, lived in Lucknow, shielded by the illusion of respectability he had built. As investigations spread across multiple states, police are now piecing together how one man turned impersonation into a career, living high on deception until the mask slipped.