Mumbai: Man impersonating BMC Commissioner demands money from officials, booked

Representational Pic

The Azad Maidan police on Friday booked an unknown person for allegedly impersonating as BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and demanding money from some officers. An FIR was registered after a complaint was received by the police from the legal cell officer of the civic body, Advocate Sunil K Sonawane, Mumbai police sources said.

"Complaints are being received from officers namely V.V. Shankarwar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) (Zone-V), Prabhat Rahangdale retired (DMC), as well as from Ex-Joint Municipal Commissioner Ashutosh Salil, who is presently working as P.S. to Union Culture Minister, of having received WhatsApp messages from unknown number. The person is impersonating the identity of Dr. I S Chahal and demanding money on his behalf," Sonawane has said in his complaint.

The complaint further read, In some WhatsApp chats, the display picture shows the photograph of ex-Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi. However, in some WhatsApp chat, the picture shows the photograph of Dr. I S Chahal. The name shows of Praveen Pardeshi.

According to Azad Maidan police, this is a same modus operandi where fraudster are now targeting government officials including top police officials. A BMC ward officer had received a WhatApp message from the person using the display picture of Chahal. He asked for money to be paid through UPI mode. The man requesting money did not mention the exact amount he wanted.

As per the complaint, the message sent by the person reads,"hello Shankarwar, how are you, where are you at the moment?"

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As the officer responded to message, the fraudster sent an another message saying,"very well, there is something I need you to please do for me urgently, as I am currently attending very crucial meeting with limited phone calls."

When the official responded in positive, the person further wrote, "Alright thanks a lot here are the details, 20 pieces of Goggle Play Recharge code with Rs 5000 value on each card when purchased have the card codes, send them to me here so I can easily forward them to the prospects."

On the complaint the police registered an FIR against unknown suspect under various sections of IPC and the IT act, the police said.

Earlier, in August, similar tactics were used by some fraudsters suspected to be in Madhya Pradesh. In a similar manner, some police officials were sent messages using a WhatsApp display picture of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar.