Karnataka: Fraudsters Posing as ED Officials Loot ₹30 Lakh in Fake Raid

Bengaluru, October 26, 2023 – A shocking incident of fraud has come to light in Karnataka, where a group of conmen posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted a fake raid and looted ₹30 lakh from a businessman. The incident, which took place in Bantwal town, Dakshina Kannada district, has sent shockwaves through the business community and highlighted the vulnerability of unsuspecting individuals to such elaborate scams.

According to police reports, the fraudsters, who arrived in a vehicle with a Tamil Nadu registration, targeted Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Kolnadu and an agriculturist. They reportedly displayed forged identification cards and documents, convincingly impersonating ED officers conducting a raid related to alleged financial irregularities.

The victim, believing their claims, was intimidated into handing over ₹30 lakh in cash.

Following the incident, the businessman realized he had been duped and immediately contacted the local police. A complaint was filed, and an investigation is underway. The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the area and are pursuing several leads to identify and apprehend the culprits.

"We are taking this case very seriously," said Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Yathish N. "We are working diligently to trace the accused and recover the stolen money. We urge the public to remain vigilant and to verify the identity of any officials claiming to be conducting raids or investigations before handing over any money or documents."

This incident serves as a stark warning against the growing number of such scams. Experts advise citizens to always demand official identification, verify the identity of officials through official channels, and to never hand over large sums of money without proper verification. The police are also advising businesses to implement robust security measures and to educate their employees about such fraudulent activities.

The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the police progress with their inquiries. The incident has raised concerns about the need for increased public awareness and stronger measures to prevent similar scams from occurring in the future.