Vijayawada: Scammers are resorting to a new way of duping their victims. Posing as local police officers, they are reportedly blackmailing and extorting money from people.In a recent case in Krishna district, a man working as a cable technician was duped of 50,000 by a caller who claimed to an assistance sub-inspector (ASI) of police. The victim named Devarakonda Suresh is a ntive if Yelamarru village in Pedaparupudi mandal.He worked in Nandiwada mandal.Recently, Suresh received a seemingly urgent phone all while he was on duty. The caller introduced himself as ASI Anand Rao and said that the sub-inspector’s niece had met with a road accident and hence, he needed urgent financial help for her treatment.Suresh narrated that the caller, in a familiar and authoritative tone, asked him collect some money from his friends or relatives and it immediately. Believing his words, Suresh transferred 50,000 through UPI and shared the transaction receipt with the caller on WhatsApp. Moments later, when the callers phone was switched off, Suresh realised that he was conned.The incident has sparked panic among people,, especially among business owners and traders in Gudivada and Hanuman Junction areas.Criminals are now reportedly targeting those who run businesses near petrol pumps and along highways. They are making phone calls posing as police officers and spinning emotional stories to exploit people’s empathy and fear.
