Srinagar, Jul 20 (NVI): The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday conducted raids at multiple locations in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts after unearthing an alleged extortion racket in which fraudsters posed as officials of the Crime Branch and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to dupe a senior citizen of more than Rs 30 lakh, officials said.
According to the Crime Branch, the searches were carried out by its Special Crime Wing in connection with an FIR registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The investigation revealed that the accused allegedly impersonated Crime Branch and ACB officials, threatened senior citizens with false complaints and arrest, and extorted money from them.
Officials said the gang allegedly extorted over Rs 30 lakh from a senior citizen in Srinagar.
Searches were conducted at several locations in Srinagar and Ganderbal linked to the accused as part of the ongoing investigation, they said.
The Crime Branch appealed to the public to remain alert against fraudsters involved in cheating, forgery, cyber-enabled crimes, impersonation and other organised offences.
People have been advised not to fall prey to forged documents, fake schemes or false promises and to immediately report any such incidents to the nearest police station or the Crime Branch for legal action, officials added.(NVI)
