Conman Caught Red-Handed: Impersonating Policeman Dupes Shopkeepers in Mumbai

Sandeep Narayan Gosavi, a 51-year-old con artist, has been arrested in Mumbai for cheating multiple shopkeepers by posing as a senior police officer, Sandeep Karnik. Gosavi's elaborate scam involved introducing himself to unsuspecting victims as a high-ranking police officer, claiming to have a common friend or acquaintance, and then convincing them to lend him their phones, which he would allegedly return in a few days. However, when the victims failed to receive their phones, Gosavi would promise to pay for them, but ultimately disappeared.

Key Takeaways:

• Gosavi was arrested on July 7 after a trap was laid for him outside the Mumbai Police Commissioner's office.
• He had cheated several shopkeepers, including Nazim Kutchi, who runs Saqibi Collections, a stall selling mobile phone covers at Crawford Market.
• Gosavi posed as "Sandeep Karnik" each time, claiming to be a senior police officer in Maharashtra.
• The Nashik police commissioner, also named Sandeep Karnik, was unaware of the impersonation and said he had no idea someone was using his name.
• Gosavi's modus operandi involved claiming to have a common friend or acquaintance to gain the victims' trust.
• He would then take their phones, promising to return them in a few days, before disappearing.
• Gosavi's victims were mainly shopkeepers outside the police commissioner's office.
• The police are questioning Gosavi regarding his involvement in the scam.

Statistics:

• Gosavi was 51 years old at the time of his arrest.
• He had cheated multiple shopkeepers in Mumbai.
• The victims were mainly from Crawford Market.
• Gosavi claimed to be a senior police officer in Maharashtra.
• The Nashik police commissioner is also named Sandeep Karnik.

Sources:

• Hindustan Times, "Mumbai: Conman impersonates IPS officer, cheats shopkeepers outside commissioner's office"