Srinagar, July 20, KDC: The Special Crime Wing of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday conducted searches at multiple locations in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts after busting an extortion racket in which fraudsters allegedly impersonated Crime Branch and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials to extort more than ₹30 lakh from a senior citizen.
According to a Crime Branch spokesperson, the searches are being carried out in connection with FIR No. 18/2026 registered under Sections 204, 319(2), 308(2), 338 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The spokesperson said the case involves an organised gang that allegedly posed as Crime Branch and ACB officials, threatening senior citizens with fabricated complaints and false arrests before coercing them into paying money.
“The accused extorted over ₹30 lakh from a senior citizen residing in Srinagar city,” the spokesperson said.
Searches were conducted at the residences of four accused identified as Mubashir Ahmad Yatto alias Wani of Rangil, Nagbal in Ganderbal; Naseer Maqbool Bichoo of Khwaja Yarbal, Saidakadal; Mudasir Sadiq Najar of Kalal Doori, Naid Kadal, Srinagar; and Muneer Ahmad Mir of Gousia Colony, Elahi Bagh, Srinagar.
The Crime Branch urged the public to remain vigilant against individuals involved in cheating, forgery, cyber-enabled offences, impersonation and other organised crimes.
It advised citizens not to fall prey to fraudulent schemes, forged documents or false promises made for unlawful gain and appealed to anyone with information about such criminal activities to immediately report the matter to the nearest police station or the Crime Branch so that legal action can be taken in accordance with the law. (KDC)
