Gujarat Man Held For Allegedly Posing As IAF Squadron Leader, Cheating Job Seeker Of Rs 1.95 Lakh

(MENAFN- IANS) Rajkot, Sep 12 (IANS) The Rajkot city police have arrested a 33-year-old man for allegedly posing as a Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Suryakiran team on Instagram and cheating a complainant of Rs 1.95 lakh on the promise of securing an Air Force job.

The accused, identified as Pratik Bhardwaj, was arrested by a team of Gandhigram-2 (University) Police Station following a technical analysis of the online fraud.

Police said the accused had created an Instagram page in the name of Pratik Bhardwaj and claimed that he was serving as a Squadron Leader in the Flying Branch of the Suryakiran team, Squadron 52, at Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka.

According to the police, Bhardwaj gained the complainant's confidence through social media and offered to help secure a job in the Air Force.

He allegedly induced the complainant to transfer money online in instalments to bank accounts, with the total amount reaching Rs 1.95 lakh.

A case was registered at Gandhigram-2 (University) Police Station under Sections 318(4), 319(2) and 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

"The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Police Inspector K K Gohil, with Assistant Sub -Inspector (ASI) Sanjaybhai Thakar, Police Head Constable Rahul Thakur, Police Constable Savanbhai Vasoya and Traffic Regulation Brigade personnel Hemangbhai Rajeshbhai involved in the probe," officials said.

Police said technical analysis helped establish the identity of the accused, following which he was arrested and legal proceedings were initiated against him.

Bhardwaj was residing in a rented house belonging to a person identified as Deepak at D-32, Shantiniketan Park-4 at Nanavati Chowk in Rajkot.

Police seized two mobile phones during the operation with a combined value of Rs 16,000.

"The operation was conducted on the instructions of senior officials," officials added.

Further investigation is underway to trace any co-accused, where the money was utilised and people who may have been a victim of such promises.

MENAFN12092026000231011071ID1111655889