Datia | A shocking fraud case in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia has highlighted how criminals are misusing the identities of government agencies and law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Police have arrested a man accused of posing as an inspector of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jhansi, and allegedly cheating a jewellery trader out of ₹29.50 lakh through a carefully orchestrated scheme involving fake documents, forged identity cards, and threats of legal action.
According to investigators, the victim, Priyansh Singhal, a jeweller from the Bhatiyara locality of Datia, filed a complaint stating that the sequence of events began in early 2025. He alleged that a man identified as A.K. Gupta visited his shop and claimed that Singhal’s late father owed him 100 grams of gold. Respecting his father’s reputation and believing the claim to be genuine, Singhal reportedly handed over 100 grams of gold in May 2025.
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The situation escalated a few days later when another individual arrived at the jewellery shop wearing a black uniform and introduced himself as Manish Kumar, an inspector with the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Jhansi. The man allegedly displayed what appeared to be an FIR copy and an official identification card, claiming that A.K. Gupta had filed a complaint against the jeweller and that legal proceedings were already underway.
Police said the accused exploited the fear of arrest and imprisonment to pressure the victim into paying large sums of money. Presenting himself as a government officer, he allegedly offered to “settle” the case in exchange for payment. Investigators believe the victim was convinced by the apparent authenticity of the documents and the accused’s official appearance.
According to the complaint, the accused initially demanded ₹10 lakh to resolve the alleged case. The victim subsequently paid several installments, including two separate payments of ₹5 lakh each. The accused then allegedly claimed that the complainant was still dissatisfied and that additional payments would be required to prevent further legal action.
The extortion reportedly continued over several months. Investigators said the accused used various pretexts, including promises of closing the case file, obtaining favorable reports, and preventing the matter from progressing through official channels. Through multiple transactions, the victim allegedly paid a total of ₹29.50 lakh.
The fraud remained undetected until the victim later met A.K. Gupta and mentioned the supposed complaint and settlement process. To his surprise, Gupta reportedly denied having filed any complaint or being aware of any such legal proceedings. This raised serious doubts in the victim’s mind and prompted him to verify the claims independently.
Seeking confirmation, the jeweller visited the Anti-Corruption Bureau office in Jhansi. There, officials informed him that no officer named Manish Kumar was posted with the agency and that no FIR or investigation had been registered against him. The revelation exposed the entire operation as an alleged fraud.
Following the complaint, Civil Lines Police registered a case under multiple provisions related to cheating, forgery, criminal intimidation, impersonation, and the use of forged documents. The accused was subsequently arrested and produced before a court, which granted police custody for further interrogation.
Investigators are now examining how the accused obtained or created the forged identity documents and whether additional individuals were involved in the scheme. Authorities are also analyzing financial transactions and communication records to determine the full extent of the operation.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that fraudsters increasingly exploit the names of law enforcement agencies and government institutions to create fear and psychological pressure. By convincing victims that they face imminent legal consequences, criminals are often able to extract large sums of money. He advised citizens to independently verify any notice, investigation, or legal claim directly with the concerned department before making payments or sharing sensitive information.
Police believe further questioning could reveal additional victims and uncover broader links connected to the alleged fraud network. The investigation remains ongoing.
