Lucknow Police Make Additional Arrests in High-Value Impersonation Fraud Case
In a significant development, Lucknow police on Monday apprehended two more individuals, identified as Manoj Yadav (21) and Jitendra Yadav alias Jeetu (23), both hailing from Sikar in Rajasthan. They are accused of participating in a sophisticated scam that defrauded a couple of Rs 90 lakh by masquerading as officials from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). This latest action elevates the total number of arrests in this case to five, underscoring the ongoing crackdown on financial crimes in the region.
Expanding Investigation and Interrogation Insights
Previously, on February 17, police had taken into custody three other suspects: Mayank Srivastava, Irshad, and Manish. During the interrogation of the newly arrested duo, Manoj and Jitendra initially professed innocence, claiming they were enticed and coerced into joining the criminal network. However, persistent and thorough questioning by authorities eventually uncovered their active roles in managing bank accounts and facilitating financial transactions. These activities were allegedly orchestrated under the directives of a handler based in Jaipur, pointing to a more organized racket.
Detailed Account of the Fraudulent Scheme
The fraudulent operation commenced on January 26, when the complainant, Veena Bajpai, received a threatening phone call from an individual identifying himself as Ranjeet Kumar. He falsely claimed to be an ATS inspector stationed at the headquarters and issued menacing warnings. The caller threatened to implicate the couple in grave offences, including terrorism and money laundering, unless they complied with his demands.
To escalate the deception, the accused coerced the victims into downloading the Signal messaging app for further communication. On this platform, another perpetrator, posing as an ATS officer, disseminated forged Supreme Court orders and fabricated seizure documents. These falsified materials were used to lend an air of legitimacy to the scheme and intimidate the couple into submission.
Under intense pressure and fear of legal repercussions, the victims were manipulated into transferring nearly Rs 90 lakh into multiple bank accounts under the guise of "account verification" and to avoid arrest. This highlights the psychological tactics employed by the fraudsters to exploit their targets.
Broader Implications and Law Enforcement Response
This case sheds light on the growing menace of impersonation scams targeting innocent citizens, often leveraging fear and authority to execute financial crimes. Lucknow police have emphasized their commitment to thoroughly investigating all aspects of this racket, including tracing the financial trails and identifying any additional accomplices. The arrests signal a robust effort to dismantle such networks and ensure justice for the victims.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant against similar fraudulent calls and to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be from law enforcement agencies before divulging personal or financial information.
