Shillong: The Ri-Bhoi Police have arrested a man from Rajasthan for allegedly creating fake social media accounts using the identity of a senior Meghalaya Police officer to cheat people online and receive money.
The accused has been identified as Jahul Ali, son of Farukh Khan, a resident of Kakrali Meo village in Alwar district of Rajasthan. He was arrested from Jaipur on May 23 following an intensive investigation conducted by the Ri-Bhoi Police.
“A cyber fraud case was reported wherein the accused impersonated Shri Vivekanand Singh Rathore, IPS, through a fake social media profile and fraudulently contacted the victim. The victim then transferred a certain amount of money, thereby being defrauded,” the Superintendent of Police, Ri-Bhoi district, said in a statement today.
Police said the accused impersonated Rathore, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Meghalaya, and used the fake identity to deceive people and demand money.
A case has been registered at Nongpoh Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita read with Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, the SP added.
“The arrest was carried out following sustained investigation and technical surveillance with internal sources. Further inputs into the case are in progress,” the statement said. Several persons allegedly duped through social media platforms have filed complaints at Nongpoh Police Station. Police said the investigation is ongoing to ascertain the involvement of other persons who may be linked to the cyber fraud operation.
The Ri-Bhoi Police urged the public to remain cautious while interacting on social media and advised against transferring money or sharing personal information without proper verification.
“Criminals may run, but the law runs faster – Justice always catches up eventually!” the police statement highlighted.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, and further arrests are anticipated as the probe deepens into the fraudulent network.
