Police have arrested a man who allegedly posed as a Special Task Force (STF) officer and extorted ₹2 lakh from a disabled businessman from Kolkata on the pretext of recovering money lost in an earlier investment fraud. A fake STF identity card and a Safari car used in the crime have been seized from his possession.
The accused, identified as Ajay Kumar Singh, is a resident of Akhandnagar in Sultanpur district and was recently living in the Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow. According to police, he introduced himself as an STF officer posted in Lucknow and demanded money in exchange for taking action against the fraudsters and getting the victim’s funds returned.
The complainant, Rakesh Jaiswal, had earlier been duped of several lakhs in a land deal in Ayodhya where he planned to set up an ashram. He was later persuaded to invest about ₹20 lakh in a restaurant partnership, which was also allegedly siphoned off. While trying to recover his money, he came into contact with Ajay Singh, who claimed he could use his “official influence” to recover the amount.
Trusting his claims, the victim paid ₹2 lakh. When no action followed and the accused began evading him, Jaiswal approached the police and lodged a complaint.
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Circle Officer Ayodhya Ashutosh Tiwari said a police team led by Kotwali in-charge Pankaj Singh arrested the accused near the boundary wall of Udasin Rishi Ashram in Ranopali following a tip-off. During the search, officers recovered a fake STF ID card and the vehicle he used to project himself as a law enforcement officer.
Police records show that Ajay Singh already has a cheating case registered against him in Tarun police station area, suggesting he may have been involved in similar frauds earlier. Investigators are now examining his call records, bank transactions and contact network to identify other possible victims.
The probe has also widened to include the individuals who allegedly cheated the victim in the land and restaurant investment schemes. Police suspect a coordinated fraud pattern in which one set of accused duped victims through investments, while another posed as officials to extract more money by promising recovery.
Officials have cautioned the public against paying money to anyone claiming to be a police or government officer for “taking action” or “recovering funds.” Law enforcement agencies do not charge money for investigations, they said, urging citizens to verify identities through official channels before trusting such claims.
Police also warned that fake identity cards can be easily fabricated and should not be treated as proof of authenticity without verification from the concerned department.
The accused has been produced before a court and further custodial interrogation is being sought. Police believe more cases and accomplices may emerge during questioning.
The case highlights a growing fraud pattern in which criminals impersonate law enforcement personnel to exploit victims who have already suffered financial losses. Authorities have appealed to the public to report suspicious calls or individuals immediately to the nearest police station or official helpline.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
