Fake cops extort Rs 3.3 lakh from Mankhurd resident, 10 held

The Mankhurd police on Sunday arrested 10 people, including a woman, for allegedly extorting Rs3.30 lakh from a 44-year-old man by posing as policemen. The complainant, Yashwant Chalke, is a resident of Lallubhai compound in Mankhurd.

Police said Chalke's friend Abdul Hamid Shaikh, 27, who works with him, and a few of the latter's friends hatched the plan to dupe Chalke. Few days ago, a man identifying himself as a crime branch officer called Chalke and

Chalke received a call. Identifying himself as a crime branch officer, the call told Chalke that Shaikh has been arrested by the Pune crime branch.

The caller informed Chalke that if he wanted Shaikh to be released, he would have to pay Rs3.30 lakh. Fearing that Shaikh was in trouble, Chalke agreed to pay the money. Couple of days later, four of the accused posed as policemen from Pune and met Chalke to collect the money.

Meanwhile, Shaikh's father Maqsood, who too was part of the conspiracy, had convinced Chalke to pay the amount. However, once he paid the cash, he approached the Mankhurd police and informed them about the incident. Chalke's complaint led to the arrests Mumbai and Pune.

"We found an identity card issued by an NGO working for tackling crimes from the accused. We are in the process of verifying the details," said an officer from Mankhurd police station.

The arrested persons have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 170 (personating a public servant), 383 (extortion), 385 (Putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion) 419 (Punishment for cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating). They are currently in police custody.