Fake mails sent to govt officials in name of senior cop to extort money, warning issued
The Delhi Police’s IFSO unit on Thursday issued a clarification stating that the DCP wasn’t involved in the scam and that the emails were fake and created with “malicious intent.”
3 min read
The accused are yet to be identified. (Representational/File)
The Delhi Police on Thursday issued a warning to government officers against the wave of fake emails which claim that child pornography has been found on their computer systems and they would be included in the ‘National Sex Offender’ register if they don’t cough up Rs 67 lakh. The new extortion scam has targeted at least a hundred GST, customs and ministry officials, and other public persons with threatening emails.
Chaos erupted in the Delhi Police‘s Special Cell since the emails are in the name of DCP Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO), Prashant Gautam. The Delhi Police’s IFSO unit on Thursday issued a clarification stating that the DCP wasn’t involved in the scam and that the emails were fake and created with “malicious intent.”
“This unit has been alerted to the circulation of counterfeit emails bearing the subject “Police Dikshant Samaroh”. These emails use the Indian Police logo, the National Emblem and wrongfully associate with the name of the undersigned (DCP Gautam) and the particulars of this unit. These misleading emails are being disseminated to various government offices…Appropriate measures are being taken…” reads DCP Gautam’s press note.
The Special Cell said more than 5-6 email IDs were used to send threatening emails using the DCP’s name. “ The accused randomly picked out excise department, GST officers and Ministry officers. … The motive is to play on the fear of people and extort money. Luckily, none of the victims have been extorted yet. This is as per the complainants who have approached us. We don’t know how many people received the email” said an officer who refused to be named.
The accused are yet to be identified.
The Indian Express accessed copies of emails which show DCP Gautam’s name and designation as ‘undersigned’ and sender. The emails state that the IFSO unit has summoned the victim against whom strict action would be taken, if he failed to respond. A letter with the Indian Police logo has been attached to the emails.
The letter threatened the officers that their computer internet history reveals clicking on sites with child pornography and rape content. It directs targeted individuals to reply within 72 hours or they would be registered in the sex offenders’ register and their names leaked.
You May Like
Photos
