The Jagathgirigutta police in Hyderabad arrested six individuals on Wednesday for allegedly extorting money by impersonating police officers. The accused reportedly became acquainted with each other while serving time in jail. The arrested suspects have been identified as Nagaraju Raghu Varma from Andhra Pradesh; Yeswanth Singh and Sathyabhan Singh from Uttar Pradesh; Rahul and Pradeep Kumar Mishra from Bihar; and Thangellapalli Nagendra Varma from Hyderabad. Another suspect, Sunil Kumar from Haryana, remains at large.
Modus Operandi
According to police officials, a complaint was filed by K Purnachandra Rao on May 18. Rao stated that while traveling on a two-wheeler near Shobodhaya Colony, he was intercepted by a group of men in a car. Three of the accused approached him, claiming to be police officers. They threatened him, alleging that he was wanted in a case registered by the Haryana police, and forced him into their vehicle.
On the pretext of conducting an investigation, the accused snatched Rao's mobile phone, ATM card, and cash. They also coerced him into disclosing his banking credentials. Using his ATM card and online banking, the accused withdrew and transferred a total of Rs 5.2 lakh. They later released him, promising that the money would be returned after verification.
Fake Video Call and Transactions
To make their operation appear genuine, the accused arranged a fake video call in which one of them impersonated a police officer from Haryana. The complainant was taken to Suryapet, where Rs 1 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account through ATM transactions. Another Rs 1 lakh was transferred via PhonePe, and additional amounts were siphoned off through online banking applications, according to Cyberabad police.
Targeting the Wealthy
The gang specifically targeted businessmen and financially well-off individuals. They used fake police uniforms, identity cards, rank badges, and insignia to impersonate police officers. Victims were intercepted, falsely informed about criminal cases, forcibly confined, and coerced into transferring money through ATM withdrawals, online banking, and digital payment platforms.
Criminal Background
Police revealed that Raghu is a habitual offender involved in 12 similar cases across Cyberabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand. He was previously detained under the PD Act, and a history sheet was opened against him in Poduru police station.
Seized Items
The police seized a range of items from the accused, including mobile phones, laptops, an air pistol, a country-made 7.65 mm pistol, police uniforms, fake ID cards, rank badges, insignia, handcuffs, batons, police stamps, name plates, shoes, fake government documents, letter pads, court seals, fake number plates, SIM cards, and vehicles such as a Tata Tiago car and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycles.
