Bagalakote: In the District, fake Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials have now begun harassing officials of various departments. Some of the officials have paid lakhs of rupees after calls being received by the fraudsters.
For the last 15 days, reports have been circulating that officials of various departments are being duped by ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police, who infact is an imposter. However, no one raised a voice about the issue and paid lakhs of rupees to the account number stated by the caller. However, an Assistant Executive Engineer of the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department made an anonymous complaint in this regard and brought the case to light. A case has been registered at Bagalakote Cyber Crime, Economic Offences and Narcotics against the fake ACB officers.
The cases of the Government employees being harassed posing as ACB officers are not only happening in Bagalakote but also in various parts of the State. It is suspected that there are two or three teams doing this. It is said that the fraudsters are mainly targeting the officials in the important departments and indulging in the racket of collecting money.
As per information, it is mainly officials and staff of the Departments, Panchayat Raj, RTO, and Sub-Register among others. More than 26 such cases have been registered in the State regarding the blackmailing by the fake ACB officials. It is alleged that fake ACB officials have duped the Government employees of lakhs of rupees by threatening to conduct raids at various places including Bagalakote, Mudhol, Bilagi, Jamakhandi and other places in the District. Also it is said that the victims did not complain and remained silent for the fear of being identified as corrupt officials if the matter was raised elsewhere. Fake ACB officers not only threaten the officials but also threaten to the politicians as well.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka Bagalakote Superintendent of Police Lokesh Jagalasar said, “Someone has threatened the Government officials posing as ACB DySP and also demanded money. We suspect that there are seven to eight members in this gang. If anyone gets any such call complain without any hesitation, “ he urged.
