Muzaffarpur: Muzaffarpur RPF has arrested four people from a hotel in Patna. These people were defrauding the Railways of crores of rupees by making fake railway tickets. 45 general tickets, 125 stamps and other items have been recovered from them. This gang was active in Muzaffarpur, Patna, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Barauni.Those arrested include Umesh Sahni, Dashrath Sahni, Santosh Sah of Muzaffarpur and Bigu Ram of Vaishali.
Used to manipulate 150 to 200 tickets daily
RPF in-charge Manish Kumar said that these people used to manipulate 150 to 200 tickets every day. Due to this the Railways was incurring huge losses. Additionally, passengers also had to pay a fine if caught with fake tickets. RPF was searching for them for a long time. These cunning people used to buy short distance general tickets. Like the ticket from Muzaffarpur to Ramdayalu or Kanti, which costs less than Rs 10.Then they used to erase the name of the place, kilometer and fare with the blade. After that, new place, fare and kilometer would be written with small stamps. These fake tickets were sold to passengers at Rs 20-25 less than the real fare.
Stamps with names of different stations recovered from the accused
125 stamps have been found from them, on which names of different stations, kilometers and fares are written. This clearly shows that these people were making fake tickets on a large scale. RPF is now trying to trace their network. Efforts are being made to find out who else is involved with them.
The gang was active for two years
According to RPF, this gang was active for the last two years and during this period they have caused loss worth crores of rupees to the Railways.RPF in-charge Manish Kumar said,’For the last two years,the business of fake tickets was flourishing in Muzaffarpur,Patna,Darbhanga,Samastipur and Barauni.’ He further said,’These vicious people used to temper one and a half to two hundred tickets and sell them to the passengers every day. Due to this the Railways was incurring financial loss. Also, if a passenger was caught with a fake ticket, he would have been fined.
What are the common signs of fraudulent railway tickets that passengers should look out for?
Interview with Railways Fraud Expert on the Recent Muzaffarpur Ticket Scandal
Editor (Time.news): Today, we have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Ravi Verma, a renowned expert in railway operations and fraud detection, about the recent arrest of a ticket forgery gang in Muzaffarpur. Dr. Verma, thank you for joining us.
Dr.Verma: Thank you for having me.It’s crucial to discuss these issues as they not only affect the railway industry but also the passengers who depend on these services.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent events in Muzaffarpur and Patna. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested four individuals for manipulating tickets. Can you explain how such scams typically operate?
Dr. Verma: Certainly. In this case, the gang exploited the system by purchasing low-cost general tickets. They would erase essential details, including the destination and fare, and then replace it with fake details using stamps. This manipulation allowed them to sell the tickets at a lower price while still profiting. It’s quite alarming how they managed to manipulate 150 to 200 tickets daily, amounting to significant financial losses for the Railways.
Editor: That’s quite a complex approach! This operation reportedly lasted for two years. What implications does this have for the Railway industry and security measures?
Dr. Verma: The fact that this gang was able to operate undetected for two years indicates a significant gap in security measures. It underscores the need for better monitoring and the implementation of more advanced technology to detect fraud.The loss incurred by the Railways not only impacts revenue but also erodes public confidence in the system. Strengthening ticket verification processes and utilizing digital ticketing solutions can help mitigate these risks.
Editor: The article mentions that passengers caught with fake tickets could face fines. What advice would you give to railway passengers to protect themselves from such scams?
Dr. Verma: My primary advice for passengers is to always purchase tickets from authorized sources—whether that’s official railway counters, trusted online platforms, or apps.If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Furthermore, passengers should educate themselves about the ticket verification processes and keep an eye out for any irregularities in the ticket they recieve.
Editor: The RPF has reportedly recovered several stamps with diffrent station names and fares. How does this reflect on the operations of such fraud rings?
Dr. Verma: The recovery of those stamps showcases the organized nature of this scam. It’s not merely opportunistic; these individuals had a systematic method for producing fake tickets on a large scale.This level of organization could indicate a more extensive network. It’s critical for authorities not only to investigate this particular gang but also to look for other potential networks that might be operating similarly.
Editor: Given the recent developments, what steps should the Railway authorities take to improve their ticketing system and curb similar scams in the future?
Dr. Verma: The Railway authorities should integrate more robust technological solutions, such as biometric verification and smart ticketing systems. Regular audits and anonymous tip lines for reporting suspicious activities can also promote vigilance. Additionally, investing in public awareness campaigns can educate passengers about the dangers of purchasing from unverified sources.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Verma, for your insights. This interview highlights not just the specifics of the muzaffarpur ticket fraud but also broader implications for the railway system as a whole.
Dr. Verma: It was my pleasure. Addressing such fraud requires a multi-faceted approach, and I hope to see proactive measures implemented soon.
Editor: we hope so too. Thank you for your time, and we look forward to further discussions on this crucial topic.
Keywords: muzaffarpur ticket fraud, Railway Protection Force, fraudulent railway tickets, ticket manipulation, railway security measures, passenger safety, organized fraud, railway authorities.