Hyderabad's Film Nagar police have successfully apprehended a sophisticated fraudster who allegedly deceived numerous individuals by masquerading as high-ranking government officials, including IPS and IAS officers. The elaborate con involved hiring armed guards and using forged documents to appear authentic.
The Master Impersonator and His Methods
Bathini Shashikanth, a 39-year-old resident, was taken into custody following a comprehensive investigation triggered by multiple complaints. According to DCP (West Zone) Ch Srinivas, while Shashikanth has been arrested, his two associates identified as Praveen and Vimal remain at large. The police operation unfolded after a local gym owner filed an official complaint about being defrauded of Rs 10 lakh.
During the arrest, authorities recovered numerous counterfeit identification cards that falsely represented Shashikanth as an IAS officer, IPS officer, and even an official from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The collection of fabricated documents demonstrated the thorough planning behind his deceptive operations.
How the Elaborate Scam Operated
Shashikanth initially joined the victim's gym and cleverly obtained free services by claiming to be an undercover IPS officer. Using this fabricated identity as foundation, he systematically built networks and extracted money from various individuals by making false promises about securing government land or providing relief in ongoing criminal cases.
In the specific case involving the gym owner, Shashikanth promised assistance in purchasing land belonging to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). He even produced a forged official letter to strengthen his credibility. The victim realized the deception only when he visited the actual TGIIC office, by which time he had already paid Rs 10 lakh to the fraudster.
The Convincing Act and Escape Patterns
To enhance his credibility, Shashikanth maintained constant accompaniment by Praveen and Vimal, who posed as his personal security detail. The trio used walkie-talkies in public spaces to create the impression of coordinating official movements and operations. Shashikanth would frequently leave the gym abruptly, informing the owner that he had been summoned for crucial operations or raids.
Police investigation revealed that Praveen and Vimal are former CRPF personnel with legally issued arms licenses from Tamil Nadu. Their professional background added an unexpected layer of authenticity to Shashikanth's impersonation act.
The prime accused demonstrated considerable cunning by frequently changing his residential address to avoid detection and arrest. This pattern continued until his eventual capture on Tuesday. During interrogation, authorities discovered that in another separate incident, a different victim had lost Rs 8 lakh to Shashikanth's schemes.
Police authorities suspect that the actual number of victims might be significantly higher and have encouraged others who may have been targeted to come forward. The investigation continues as officers work to locate the absconding associates and uncover the full extent of this sophisticated impersonation racket.
