A 43-year-old man accused of impersonating an Indian Navy officer and cheating a Kerala resident of ₹18 lakh on the promise of government jobs has been arrested in Kochi. Investigators recovered Navy uniforms, rank insignia, walkie-talkies, ceremonial swords and other military-related items from his apartment.
Joint Operation Leads to Arrest
The accused has been identified as Bimal Namboothiri alias Bimal S. Vijayan, a native of Adoor in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. According to investigators, he had been staying in an apartment at Palarivattom in Kochi.
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When officials reached the flat for a search, the accused allegedly fled the premises. He was later tracked down and arrested from Chengamanad during a coordinated operation.
The arrest followed a joint operation involving the State Intelligence unit, the Anti-Terrorism Squad and Naval Intelligence. During the search, officials seized several Navy uniforms, military insignia, walkie-talkies, ceremonial swords and commemorative plaques.
Government Job Promise Under Probe
According to the investigation, the accused allegedly approached a resident of Pandalam and promised to secure government jobs for the complainant’s wife and sister. Believing the claims, the victim reportedly paid ₹18 lakh in multiple instalments between July 2023 and January 2025.
Police alleged that despite receiving the money, the accused failed to arrange the promised employment. He allegedly returned only ₹3 lakh, leaving the victim with a substantial financial loss.
After repeated assurances failed to materialise, the complainant approached authorities, leading to the registration of the case. Officials suspect the accused used a fake military identity to gain the trust of victims.
Uniforms and Insignia Being Verified
Investigators said Bimal had previously worked as a priest in Ernakulam before allegedly assuming the false identity of a Navy officer. Authorities are examining whether the recovered uniforms, insignia and accessories were used to falsely project him as a serving naval officer.
The probe is also focused on whether he cheated other job seekers using a similar method. Officials are scrutinising his financial transactions, communication records and personal contacts to identify possible additional victims or accomplices.
Following his arrest, the accused was produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Investigators are verifying the origin and legality of the military-related articles recovered during the search.
