Ask questions if ‘authorities’ ask for fines

Men posing as BMC officials extorted Rs 19,500 from a bizman after falsely accusing him of smoking in a auto

We have reported an avalanche of cyber scams, which began and reached its peak during Covid. It has not abated too much since, prompting police to send out warnings to people about cyber scams, modus operandi and the importance of reporting quickly in case you have been scammed.

Sometimes, though scamsters do not hide behind digital anonymity. Recently, the Kherwadi police arrested three men for allegedly posing as BMC officials and extorting Rs 19,500 from a 37-year-old businessman after falsely claiming he had committed an offence by smoking inside an autorickshaw. This incident took place at Hans Bhugra Junction, beneath the WEH's Vakola Bridge.

The accused allegedly took money from the victim and instructed him to come to a nearby police station before fleeing on their motorcycles, after intimidating him. He approached the Kherwadi police, who registered a case. Scamsters disguised as some type of officials rely on intimidation, bewilderment and catching people by surprise.

Stand your ground if they refuse to show you identification. Do not ‘accompany' them anywhere. Ask a friend, if possible, to come in to help. Follow your intuition if suspicious. Tell them, you will go to a police station with them, and then, pay the so-called fine.

Do ask what is the fine for smoking in a rickshaw? This so called fine cannot be ad hoc, it must be fixed. There has to be an official that one can talk to. There must be an office/station that the person can be taken into. Know your rights, be sceptical and call authorities to your aid if you must. Impersonation is a very common modus operandi in fraud.