Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested seven people for allegedly posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers and attempting to intimidate a family during a fake raid at their home in Prashant Vihar.
The investigation has also revealed an alleged playbook involving fake government identities, advance information about targets and a coordinated team to make the operation appear genuine.
Gang allegedly arrives as CBI officers
The incident took place around 10.00 pm on August 11, when around eight people, including six men and two women, arrived at the home of Pratham Agarwal.
The group allegedly introduced themselves as CBI officers and claimed they had come to conduct a raid. They reportedly showed the family what appeared to be CBI identity cards and attempted to enter the house.
When Agarwal and his mother asked to see a search warrant or other documents authorising the raid, the group allegedly threatened them. They remained outside the house for around 90 minutes.
The group later claimed that a notice issued in Pratham’s father’s name was inside their vehicle. They left to retrieve it but did not return.
Fake notice adds to alleged plan
Around the same time, the family received a message claiming to be an official CBI notice on the father’s mobile phone. Although the message was later deleted, the family had saved a screenshot.
Suspecting that something was wrong, the family contacted the 112 emergency helpline.
Police registered a case at Prashant Vihar police station on August 19 under Sections 308(2), 351(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators subsequently examined CCTV footage, mobile phone records, the alleged fake notice and other material to identify those behind the operation.
Playbook allegedly involved targeted information
Police reportedly recovered eight mobile phones, clothing bearing the CBI monogram and photographs and videos of fake government identity cards from the accused.
Some of the phones allegedly contained videos showing people posing as CBI, Enforcement Directorate and other government officials during purported raids.
Police are now examining whether these materials point to similar operations elsewhere.
Among those arrested are Asifa, 29, and Pooja Agarwal, who police allege were key figures in the operation.
Another accused, Kuldeep Sharma, around 63, is suspected of having provided information about the complainant’s home and possible cash or valuables. Police allege that the information helped the group target the family.
Police probe wider network
Police are investigating how the alleged group recruited people to pose as government officers and how fake identities and other materials were prepared.
The investigation is also examining the roles of other people allegedly brought in to participate in the fake raid.
The recovery of videos and other material from the accused has prompted police to check whether the group used the same alleged playbook to target other families.
Further investigation is underway.