In two shocking incidents, con artists in Lucknow and Ghaziabad exploited social trust and fake credentials to defraud victims of crores, exposing the lengths to which scammers will go to manipulate, deceive, and gain financial advantage.
Lucknow: Socialite dupes women using fake IAS credentials
Rashmi Singh, a well-dressed and socially active woman in Lucknow’s upscale Bal Vihar Colony, has been accused of swindling Rs 1.5 crore from at least 10 women. Projecting herself as the wife of a senior IAS officer, Rashmi cultivated an image of sophistication and generosity, hosting elaborate kitty parties to build trust and rapport.
Victims reported that Rashmi lured them into investment schemes with promises of high returns in mutual funds and property ventures. Her persuasion extended beyond financial incentives—she played on their emotions, claiming the money was urgently needed for medical emergencies. Over time, she demanded cash transactions, obtained blank cheques, and even held property papers as guarantees.
When the women attempted to reclaim their money, Rashmi turned aggressive, threatening to frame them in fabricated legal cases or harm herself to implicate them. The scheme began to unravel when the victims filed a formal complaint, prompting police to register an FIR under charges of fraud, breach of trust, and intimidation. Authorities are now investigating the scale of her fraudulent activities, which have left victims financially crippled and emotionally scarred.
Ghaziabad: Fake IPS officer tries to influence police
In a separate case, 68-year-old Anil Katiyal from Delhi’s Greater Kailash neighbourhood was arrested for posing as a retired IPS officer. Katiyal, working with his associate Vinod Kapoor, attempted to manipulate police officers in Ghaziabad regarding a cheating case filed against Kapoor.
Katiyal claimed to be a 1979-batch IPS officer with powerful connections, even presenting himself as an advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Leveraging these fabricated credentials, he met senior police officials, seeking to influence the investigation in favour of Kapoor. His eagerness to photograph himself with high-ranking officers and display his supposed authority raised suspicions.
Upon verification, police discovered Katiyal’s credentials were entirely fake. Evidence recovered from his phone revealed he had used similar impersonation tactics in other regions, including Delhi and Haryana, targeting officials in various departments. Both Katiyal and Kapoor were arrested and charged with impersonation, cheating, and attempting to obstruct justice.
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