In a shocking case of cyber-enabled fraud, a broker in Sirsa has been duped of Rs. 6 crores by his relatives, who allegedly created a fake social media account of a woman IPS officer to extort money. The accused lured the victim, Mr. Aadhti Rai Singh, by claiming close connections with an IPS officer and systematically siphoned off money through cash and bank transfers.
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Modus Operandi of the Fraud
According to the police, accused father-son duo Sonu and Mahipal, both relatives of the victim, assured Mr. Singh of introducing him to a woman IPS officer. They provided him with a mobile number through which a fake officer, impersonating the IPS officer, began communicating with him via WhatsApp.
Over time, the impersonator demanded money under several pretexts, including medical expenses, repayment of family debts, and settlement of disputes. The fraudsters went further by staging a false story about a shooting incident involving the officer’s in-laws, pressuring Mr. Singh to pay additional sums to “settle” the matter.
Police investigations have revealed that the accused diverted the money into multiple accounts while also collecting significant amounts in cash, ultimately defrauding the victim of nearly Rs. 6 crores.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
On the basis of Mr. Singh’s statement, Thana Sadar police have registered a case against seven individuals, including Sonu, Mahipal, Shimla, Suman, Rajpal, Bhoop Singh, Maya Devi, and Shravan Kumar. The case has been booked under sections 318 (2), 336 (2), 338, 336 (3), 340(2), 316, 319, 61 (2) of BNS along with sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act, which deal with impersonation and cheating through digital means.
So far, no arrests have been made, and the prime accused are reportedly absconding. Police have intensified their efforts to trace the suspects.
Cybercrime Awareness and Governance Angle
The case highlights the growing menace of cyber-enabled impersonation fraud, where even respected government officials’ identities are misused by fraudsters. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly urged citizens to verify identities before making financial transactions, especially when approached through social media or unofficial communication channels.
This incident also underlines the urgent need for strengthening digital literacy and cyber awareness campaigns. Impersonation of bureaucrats and police officials not only erodes public trust but also poses challenges to governance and law enforcement credibility.
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