Residents of Ludhiana were targeted by an audacious extortion racket where an unidentified fraudster impersonated a senior police officer to demand money. The scam has raised serious concerns about digital impersonation and cross-border cybercrime.
The Modus Operandi of the Impersonator
The accused individual brazenly posed as Inspector Vijay Kumar, who is the Station House Officer (SHO) of the PAU police station in Ludhiana. To lend credibility to his calls, the fraudster used the officer's photograph on WhatsApp. The picture showed Inspector Kumar in his official police uniform, which was misused to deceive potential victims.
In one particularly alarming instance, the caller contacted a person and falsely claimed that their son had been arrested. The scammer alleged that the young man was accompanying individuals accused in a gang rape case. To secure the fabricated release of the boy, the impersonator demanded a sum of Rs 70,000 from the worried family member.
Social Media Exposure and Police Response
The extortionist contacted several people. However, the scheme began to unravel when one alert recipient recorded the threatening conversation. This recording was subsequently circulated on social media platforms, bringing the scam to wider public attention and eventually to the notice of the police themselves.
Inspector Vijay Kumar confirmed that he learned about the misuse of his identity and photograph. He stated that upon initial investigation, a startling discovery was made: the extortion call had been placed from a Pakistani phone number. Following this revelation, the SHO took to social media to issue a public appeal, warning citizens not to fall prey to such fake calls or monetary demands.
Official Investigation Underway
Inspector Kumar has formally reported the serious matter to the specialized Cyber Crime Cell. This unit is now tasked with conducting a thorough and technical investigation to trace the origin of the calls and identify the impersonator. The police have advised the public to always verify such calls directly with the concerned police station and never transfer money based on telephonic demands.
This incident highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals who exploit the trust associated with police authority. It serves as a crucial reminder for citizens to remain vigilant against sophisticated social engineering attacks, even when they appear to come from figures of authority.
