Shillong | In a significant breakthrough in a cyber fraud case, Meghalaya Police have arrested a man from Rajasthan for allegedly impersonating a senior IPS officer and cheating a resident through a fake social media identity. The accused is said to have created a fabricated online profile of a high-ranking police official and used it to carry out financial fraud.
The arrested individual has been identified as Jahul Ali, a resident of Kakrali Meo village in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. According to officials, he was apprehended from Jaipur on May 23 following a coordinated investigation involving technical surveillance and intelligence-based tracking.
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Police stated that the accused allegedly impersonated Vivekanand Singh Rathore, a senior IPS officer serving as Deputy Inspector General (Western Range) in Meghalaya and a former Senior Superintendent of Police in Ri-Bhoi district. Using the fake identity, he reportedly built contact with a victim in Meghalaya through social media platforms.
Investigators revealed that the accused used the impersonated profile to gain the victim’s trust and subsequently persuaded them to transfer money under false pretenses. The fraud came to light after the victim lodged a complaint, prompting police to initiate a formal investigation.
A case was registered at Nongpoh Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Following the registration of the FIR, Meghalaya Police launched a detailed probe into the cyber fraud network and began tracing digital footprints linked to the accused.
Officials said the investigation involved sustained technical surveillance, IP tracking, and analysis of online activity, which eventually led to the identification and arrest of the suspect in Rajasthan. Police teams worked in coordination across state boundaries to locate and detain him.
Superintendent of Police Giri Prasad confirmed that the arrest was made after consistent investigative efforts and digital intelligence inputs. He added that the case highlights the growing challenge of cyber impersonation crimes, where fraudsters exploit fake identities of public officials to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused may have used similar fake profiles or methods in other cyber fraud incidents as well. Police are now examining whether he is connected to a wider network involved in impersonation-based scams across different states.
Authorities have also seized electronic devices and digital evidence during the investigation, which are being analyzed to trace financial transactions and communication patterns. Officials believe this data may help uncover additional links and potential accomplices.
Cybercrime experts note that such impersonation scams are increasingly becoming sophisticated, with fraudsters using social media platforms to target individuals by posing as police officers, government officials, or other authoritative figures. Victims are often manipulated into transferring money under pressure or false promises.
In this case, investigators are also reviewing whether the accused used multiple accounts or identities to contact different individuals, and whether similar complaints exist in other jurisdictions. Coordination with cybercrime units in other states has been initiated to verify possible related cases.
Police have reiterated that the investigation is still in progress and further details will emerge after forensic analysis of the seized digital devices is completed. Authorities have also urged citizens to remain cautious while responding to unsolicited messages or friend requests from unknown profiles claiming to represent officials.
The arrest marks another instance of law enforcement action against growing cyber fraud cases involving impersonation tactics. Officials said stronger digital awareness and verification practices are essential to prevent such crimes, which continue to evolve with changing technology.
Meghalaya Police have assured that all possible angles of the case will be thoroughly investigated, including the possibility of a larger cyber fraud network operating across state borders. Further legal proceedings will follow based on the evidence collected during the ongoing investigation.
