Lucknow: A woman police constable has filed a First Information Report (FIR) claiming she was defrauded of ₹16.55 lakh. The constable alleges that a man, who misrepresented himself as a relative of a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, promised to double her investment. The case highlights the ongoing issue of financial scams targeting individuals in positions of trust.
Investigators suspect the accused may have used similar tactics to dupe more than 50 police personnel and other victims, with total losses possibly running into crores.
The complainant, Mona Sikarwar, posted at the Darulshafa police outpost, told police she met Pradeep Shivhare in May. Police said that after she demanded her principal back, he stopped responding and switched off his mobile phone. Police sources said he cultivated familiarity with officers in the commissionerate, which helped him build credibility among police staff.
When she later asked for the promised return, Shivhare allegedly kept postponing payment. Police teams are conducting raids to arrest Shivhare. Investigators are scrutinising bank accounts linked to the transfers, tracking the money trail, and examining whether associates were involved.
Officials said there are inputs that he also collected money from some sub-inspectors by promising station house officer postings, and that a municipal councillor and businessmen may also have been cheated, though several alleged victims have not yet filed complaints.
She then went to Police Commissioner’s office, after which Hazratganj police registered a case and began investigation.