Hyderabad: Gang of Fake Police Officers Netted After Extorting Rs 5.26 Lakh from Trucker
The successful dismantling of an organized gang of pseudo-police officers in Hyderabad has prevented thousands from falling prey to their fraudulent tactics. This incident highlights the ongoing need for vigilance against such scams targeting unsuspecting citizens.
Highlights
- •Rs 5.26 lakh ransom extorted by fake police officers during elaborate impersonation trap
- •Five accused arrested, two remain at large
- •Fake video calls involving Haryana police officer role-play
- •Criminal activities linked to organized network post-prison release
Hyderabad: The rapid response by law enforcement in Jagadgirigutta and Kukatpally managed to dismantle a notorious gang of pseudo-police operators who had been extorting lakhs from unsuspecting victims through elaborate stunts. This particular scam, which was meticulously planned and executed, saw the arrest of five individuals while two remained at large as of last reports.
In the early hours of May 18, a 42-year-old businessman named Kavuri Purnachandra Rao experienced first-hand the horrors of an impersonation trap. He was traveling towards Prashanth Nagar on his motorcycle when intercepted by a car on Shobodhaya Colony opposite Lake Bar in Jagadgirigutta.
Rao's Experience: A Scam on Stilts
Three men exited the vehicle, introduced themselves as police officers and fabricated a story claiming he was wanted for a case registered against him in Haryana. Rao, taken aback by their claim, accompanied them willingly but fell into a premeditated trap immediately.
The gang, adept at deception, seized his mobile phone, ATM card, and cash, coercing him to reveal passwords and banking details through intimidation. To amplify the believability of their cover, they arranged for a fraudulent video call that impersonated a Haryana police officer.
Rao was taken to Suryapet, where the gang meticulously carried out financial transactions totaling Rs 1 lakh via ATM, followed by another Rs 1 lakh transferred through PhonePe. Additional funds were siphoned using online banking applications.
Eventually, they assaulted Rao, removed his SIM card, issued him a basic mobile phone, and abandoned him in an isolated spot before vanishing into the night.
Upon investigation, authorities recovered counterfeit police uniforms, identity cards, weapons, fake government documents, stolen electronics, vehicles, and number plates. The suspects had likely operated as part of a criminal network after serving their prison terms to continue their illicit activities.
