In a shocking case of extortion, a charlatan posing as an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer demanded a ransom of Rs. 5 crores from an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Mr. Ram Singh Verma, who serves as the Additional Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). Officer Verma received a video call from an unknown number late on the night of 24th September. The caller claimed to be an ED official and threatened to release an ‘uncompromising’ recorded video if the officer did not comply with the extortion demands.
Following this, the fraudster made repeated calls and sent messages, reducing the demand to Rs 1.5 crore but threatened to expose Verma’s family members and associates if the ransom was not paid. The scammer not only threatened to release the alleged video but also vowed to share it with Verma’s wife and other family members. The fraudster retorted by hurling abuses and issuing threats, including one to kill Verma in the middle of the road.
IAS Verma reported the case to the Hazratganj Police Station on Friday, and the authorities have initiated a case under various sections of the law. Inspector Vikram Singh of Hazratganj stated that the location of the caller is being traced with the help of surveillance, and further investigations are underway.
