The LT Marg police have arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly impersonating a Mumbai-based gold merchant on WhatsApp and attempting to cheat another trader of Rs 25 lakh.
According to the police, the complainant, who runs a bullion business in South Mumbai, was alerted on February 3 by a fellow gold trader from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, that he had received a call from an unknown person seeking Rs 25 lakh in a particular name, claiming that the money was urgently required in Mumbai. Police said the caller had used the person’s name and business display picture on WhatsApp to appear genuine. When the person in whose name the money was being asked for was contacted, he clarified immediately that he had made no such request. The traders, the intermediary caller, police officers, and the person whose name was used collaborated to apprehend the impersonator, who was lured to a designated spot and subsequently detained by the authorities.
Always check and double-check the veracity of requests for money. Alert the person whose name is being used and clarify whether they are in trouble or need any money. If unreachable, ask a family member or friend. Watch out for red flags. Playing on a sense of urgency or desperation, refusing or pretending not to have details, etc. If your intuition tells you something does not seem right, go by your gut feeling.
It is advisable to have police on hand, even if one decides to tackle the impersonator/criminal. Do not try to overpower him physically on one’s own. Do not endanger yourself, as the suspect may have backup or fight back violently if trapped. Stay sharp and put clarity above all in these requests.