Bengaluru police arrest juvenile for impersonating IAS, IPS officers online

Bengaluru police have arrested a juvenile for allegedly posing as Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on social media platforms to extort money from victims. The minor employed a systematic approach, initiating contact with targets by sending friend requests to acquaintances and members of the general public before making financial demands.

The accused leveraged the perceived authority and credibility associated with senior government positions to convince victims of the legitimacy of their requests. By adopting official titles and credentials online, the juvenile exploited the trust typically extended to civil servants and law enforcement personnel.

The modus operandi involved building rapport with potential victims through social media before pivoting to financial solicitations. Investigators have indicated that multiple individuals fell victim to the scheme over a period of time, with the accused successfully extracting money from several targets.

Police registered a case against the minor under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to fraud and cheating. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are examining the extent of the criminal network and the total amount defrauded. The case highlights the growing menace of online impersonation and social engineering scams targeting citizens across urban centres in India.