Berhampur, Dec 5: Nine persons have been arrested for allegedly duping gullible unemployed youth of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of providing them government jobs, police said on Thursday.

Berhampur police launched an investigation after receiving complaint from a victim Santosh Sahu on Tuesday that Hrudananda Muni and his associates duped him and his relatives of around Rs 27.50 lakh on the pretext of giving them government jobs.

Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M formed special teams and busted a fake job racket on Wednesday. Nine persons were arrested for allegedly duping job seekers of over Rs 1.96 crore.

“Mobile phones, fake government seals, appointment letters, bank cheque books, car and other articles were seized from the possession of the arrested. Police suspect the involvement of more people in the racket and efforts are underway to nab them,” the SP said.