**Father-Son Duo in Gujarat Dupes Businessman of ₹21.65 Lakh with Fake IAS Officer Scheme**
A father-son pair from Mehsana, Gujarat, has been accused of defrauding a local businessman out of ₹21.65 lakh, aided by a water seller impersonating a fake IAS officer. The alleged scam involved a fabricated story about a ₹300 crore seizure during an Income Tax raid, which the fraudsters used to exploit the victim’s trust.
The police report indicates that Jayantibhai and his son Kaushik Patel, based in Surat, befriended businessman Dinesh Patel. They manipulated his trust by claiming that an Income Tax raid had taken place at their home, resulting in the seizure of ₹300 crore. They falsely asserted that the funds could only be retrieved through legal proceedings and solicited financial assistance from Dinesh Patel to hire a lawyer.
To bolster their deception, the duo enlisted Arpit, also known as Rishan Reddy, a water seller from Ahmedabad, who posed as an IAS officer. Arpit contacted Dinesh Patel, using a script provided by Jayantibhai and Kaushik, and claimed to be a high-ranking official knowledgeable about the supposed tax seizure. He even sent images of cash to lend credibility to the story, urging Patel to support Kaushik and Jayantibhai financially.
“I have ₹300 crore seized by the Income Tax department. Send money to help your friends Kaushik and Jayantibhai in getting it released,” Arpit told Dinesh Patel. Believing he was assisting friends in a serious legal predicament, Dinesh transferred ₹21.65 lakh to the conmen. When repayment did not occur, he filed a complaint with the Visnagar police in April.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Arpit had no official credentials and was merely a water seller in Ahmedabad. He confessed to receiving ₹80,000 from the Patel duo for his role in the impersonation scheme. The police arrested Arpit on Tuesday, while Jayantibhai and Kaushik Patel remain at large, with ongoing efforts to locate them.
**FAQ**
*What should I do if I suspect a scam?*
If you suspect a scam, report it to local authorities immediately and gather any evidence you may have, such as messages or transaction records.