The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has arrested a Punjab resident accused of impersonating a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and allegedly cheating people by promising airport jobs, discounted iPhones and other goods at low prices.
The accused, identified as Azma A Sikandar Mohammad Akhtar Kamboj, a resident of Jamalpura in Malerkotla, Punjab, was arrested on October 10 near the entrance to Palika Bazaar, behind Sardar Baug in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
According to the Crime Branch, the accused was wearing a force T-shirt and allegedly posing as a CISF officer when he was apprehended. He was found carrying a forged identity card identifying him as a DSP in the CISF Department, Government of India.
A case has been registered against him at Karanj police station under Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with impersonating a public servant.
During questioning, the accused reportedly told investigators that he had worked as a casual labourer, mechanic and in other occupations after completing his studies in Malerkotla.
Police allege that he collected money from people by promising to arrange walnuts and kerosene from Kashmir at cheaper rates, discounted goods from army canteens, iPhones and other products. He also allegedly claimed that he could secure airport jobs by using his purported CISF credentials and arrange cheaper iPhones from Dubai.
According to the Crime Branch, the accused admitted in his statement that he had failed to supply goods promised to some people and spent the money on personal indulgences.
Investigators said payments were allegedly received both in cash and through online bank transfers. Bank accounts belonging to other individuals, a travel agency and a petrol pump were also found to have allegedly been used to receive money. The transactions and possible involvement of other persons are being examined.
The Crime Branch further found that the accused was wanted in connection with a 2022 cheating and theft case registered at Mazgaon police station in Jammu and Kashmir under Sections 420, 380 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code. The case is associated with Case No. 08/2022 at the Mazgaon court.
Police seized the forged CISF identity card, a PAN card, an Aadhaar card, Rs 1,120 in cash and a mobile phone valued at Rs 10,000. The total value of the seized items was assessed at Rs 11,120.
Further investigation is underway to identify other alleged victims, trace financial transactions and determine whether complaints or cases have been registered against the accused in other states.
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