Scam Artist Caught: Police Arrest 54-Year-Old Who Posed as Cop to Swindle Rs28,000

Strategic Insights -

A brazen scam artist was caught by Nagpur city police crime branch for posing as a cop and swindling a commuter of Rs28,000. The operation was swift, with crime branch officers tracing the suspect to Bajaj Nagar within an hour of the crime. The suspect, Sudhir Lokhande, 54, confessed to the crime after being apprehended by police. A total of Rs28,000 was recovered, with the scammer's scooter and Rs1,08,000 worth of cash seized.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 54-year-old man, Sudhir Lokhande, posed as a policeman to dupe a 49-year-old commuter, Karan Pakhale, of Rs28,000 on September 13.
  • Lokhande approached Pakhale near Lalganj Zade Chowk, posing as a cop, and pretended to inspect Pakhale's vehicle, discovering "cash" in the dickey, which he claimed needed a hefty fine to be paid.
  • Lokhande fled with the money, but police later checked CCTV footages and traced the registration number of his scooter from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to Bajaj Nagar.
  • Crime branch officers laid a trap and apprehended Lokhande, recovering Rs28,000 and seizing his scooter and another Rs80,000 worth of cash.
  • Lokhande was handed over to Shanti Nagar Police Station (PS), and senior officers hailed the crime branch's prompt action, emphasizing zero tolerance towards such crimes.
  • The total value of cash recovered from Lokhande's possession is Rs1,08,000.

Statistics:

  • Rs28,000: The amount swindled by the scam artist, Sudhir Lokhande, from a commuter,
  • Rs1,08,000: The total value of cash recovered from Lokhande's possession,
  • 1 hour: The time it took for crime branch officers to trace the suspect to Bajaj Nagar,
  • 54: The age of the suspect, Sudhir Lokhande,
  • 49: The age of the commuter, Karan Pakhale,
  • 2.30-3.30 pm: The time frame when the scam artist approached the commuter on September 13.

Sources:

  • Times of India [based on the provided text]