Posing as undercover cop, conman swindles Rs 10 lakh from gym owner in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Film Nagar police arrested a man who allegedly conned several people by impersonating an IPS or IAS officer, or a senior official of various government departments. To bolster his act, the accused even hired gunmen to convince victims that he was an influential officer and a protectee who was authorised to use a siren on his vehicle.

DCP (West Zone) Ch Srinivas said that Bathini Shashikanth, 39, had been arrested, while two of his associates, Praveen and Vimal, are absconding. The arrest was made based on a complaint filed by a gym owner who lost Rs 10 lakh to the accused. Police recovered several fake ID cards from the accused claiming he was an IAS or IPS officer, or an official of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with other forged documents.


Shashikanth had joined the victim's gym and availed services for free by claiming he was an undercover IPS officer. Using this false identity, he developed contacts and collected money from various people, promising help in securing govt land or facilitating relief in criminal cases.

In the case of the gym owner, Shashikanth promised to help him purchase land belonging to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). He even issued a forged letter. When the victim approached the TGIIC office, he realised he had been cheated. He had already paid Rs 10 lakh. In another case, a victim lost Rs 8 lakh," Srinivas said during a press meet. Shashikanth would often leave the gym abruptly, telling the owner he had been called away for an important operation or raid.

The prime accused was always accompanied by Praveen and Vimal, who acted as his gunmen. They used walkie-talkies in public to create the impression that they were coordinating official movements. Police said Shashikanth frequently changed his address to evade arrest until he was finally caught on Tuesday. During questioning, officers learned that Praveen and Vimal are former CRPF personnel who had armed licences issued in Tamil Nadu.

Police said they suspect Shashikanth could have conned more victims.



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