Alert: New Scam Targets Property Owners as Criminals Impersonate CISF Personnel

The CISF has issued warnings for people to remain vigilant against such fraudulent schemes. (File)

New Delhi:

Following the emergence of digital arrests and investment scams, a new deceptive practice has surfaced where criminals impersonate Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to swindle unsuspecting victims.

This fraudulent scheme employing fake CISF credentials utilizes multiple approaches. The central element involves sharing counterfeit CISF identification cards featuring photographs of the scammers dressed in official uniforms.

Many property owners across India who list their homes or apartments for rent on online platforms are being targeted. Scammers obtain these landlords' contact information from these rental listings.

The fraudsters contact potential victims claiming to be CISF sub-inspectors or constables who require accommodation due to a transfer. They provide fake CISF identification along with counterfeit Aadhar and PAN cards to establish credibility.

Under the pretense of transferring rental payments, they request the property owners' banking details. Shortly thereafter, funds disappear from the victims' bank accounts.

Another method involves a fictitious CISF official using the name Aniket Vijay Verma, who posts advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and marketplaces such as OLX.

These postings claim that the individual works for CISF and needs to sell household items due to an imminent transfer. People are deceived and subsequently defrauded through these transactions.

The scammers also advertise vehicles for sale on these platforms. Interested purchasers are pressured to transfer money quickly, with the fraudster citing an urgent transfer as the reason for the hasty sale.

Buyers are promised doorstep delivery of the vehicle immediately after payment is made. However, no delivery occurs, and the buyers lose their money.

In conversation with NDTV India, CISF Public Relations Officer (PRO) Saroj Bhupendra emphasized the need for vigilance regarding such deceptive advertisements.

"People should not immediately trust individuals who present service ID cards. Everyone should gather complete information first and avoid falling victim to such scams. No transactions should be conducted over phone or text message without meeting the person," Bhupendra advised.

The officer further noted that since CISF personnel are stationed in nearly every city across India, it becomes easier for people to believe these fraudulent advertisements.

The CISF had previously issued an advisory in January regarding this matter.

"We wish to bring to your attention the significant increase in online selling scams involving individuals falsely representing themselves as CISF personnel and utilizing counterfeit IDs to deceive the public and extract payments. We strongly urge everyone to exercise caution during online transactions. If you encounter any suspicious activity, please refrain from making payments and immediately report the incident to the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930," the force stated.