Arrest in Sitapur
Police in Sitapur have apprehended a married pair accused of bilking approximately ₹27 lakh by posing as a bank manager and an Income Tax Department inspector. The suspects, identified as Rohit Bajpai and his wife Annu Bajpai (also known as Chandra), hail from Kannauj.
How the Scam Unfolded
Investigators say the couple first scouted the area in May before moving into a house in Prem Nagar on 31 August. Rohit introduced himself as the manager of the Punjab National Bank branch in Mishrikh, while Annu claimed to be an Income Tax inspector. Both presented falsified identity cards to lend credibility to their ruse.
Victims and the Money Trail
The initial victim, Ramnaresh Jaiswal, was duped out of ₹20 lakh with the promise of acquiring auctioned gold at a reduced price. He was later persuaded to hand over an extra ₹2 lakh for a supposed exchange of damaged currency notes. Other victims included Premlata Bajpai, who lost ₹1 lakh, and laundry proprietor Atul, who was swindled of ₹4 lakh.
Escape Route and Asset Seizure
After the scams were carried out, the pair fled by car on 14 September, hopping between vehicles and traversing Agra, Kota, Betul and Chennai in an effort to evade capture. Law enforcement recovered ₹14 lakh in cash, jewellery valued at around ₹6 lakh, four mobile phones and several counterfeit identification documents. Two of the phones alone were appraised at about ₹50,000.
Investigation Findings
Superintendent of Police Ankur Agrawal disclosed that, during questioning, the couple confessed to operating similar cons since 2005. Their pattern involved traveling across states, establishing contact with potential victims under false pretenses, and disappearing once the money was secured.
Reward for Information
The police unit that dismantled the operation has been offered a reward of ₹25,000 for their diligent work.
