Village Residents Foil Fake Electricity Raid and Nab Imposters
In Farouli village, locals foiled an extortion attempt by four men impersonating electricity officials. The imposters attempted to flee when asked for identification, but quick-thinking villagers detained them. Police arrested the suspects, unraveling their fake raid cover after the real department denied issuing any orders.
- Country:
- India
Residents of Farouli village have successfully thwarted an extortion scheme orchestrated by four men posing as officials from the electricity department's vigilance team, police revealed on Friday. The suspects were targeting locals using the pretext of inspecting power theft, reportedly demanding bribes and threatening penalties for alleged violations.
The incident unfolded on July 30, as imposters arrived in a Bolero SUV with government plates, claiming to represent an official vigilance drive. Suspicion arose when villagers requested identification, prompting the men to attempt an escape—a move that led alert locals to pursue and detain them, eventually alerting authorities.
The detainees, identified as residents of Sasni area in Hathras district, included Praveen Sharma, the SUV driver, who claimed to operate under orders from a power department SDO, which the accused officer has denied. Authorities are now conducting an internal inquiry to determine possible staff complicity, with potential arrests anticipated following investigation results.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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