Punjab Police Nabs Fake Gangster: The Fight Against Rising Extortion Scams

The Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force arrested Lovejeet Singh for trying to extort a local showroom owner by posing as a gangster's relative. This arrest highlights a surge in fake extortion schemes exploiting public fear. Law enforcement urges immediate reporting of extortion calls for swift action.

The Anti-Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police apprehended a 24-year-old man, Lovejeet Singh, for impersonating the brother of a notorious gangster to extort Rs 1 crore from a local automobile showroom owner. The arrest, announced by Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, underscores the rise of fake extortion scams in the region.

The accused, hailing from Bargari, Faridkot, employed virtual numbers and social media applications to mask his identity and issue death threats, as revealed by initial investigations. DGP Yadav cautioned the public against falling prey to such scams, emphasizing that many extortions stem from individuals falsely claiming gangster affiliations.

Earlier, the AGTF dismantled a Malaysia-based extortion racket impersonating a well-known gang. According to Additional Director General of Police Promod Ban, technical tracing and intelligence led to Lovejeet's arrest in Mohali. Investigations continue to uncover potential connections to other crimes, with police urging swift reporting of such threats.

(With inputs from agencies.)