Srinagar: The Special Crime Wing, Kashmir, of the Crime Branch, J&K, on Monday conducted searches at multiple locations in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts in connection with an alleged extortion racket targeting senior citizens by impersonating officials of the Crime Branch and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
According to the Crime Branch, the searches are being carried out in connection with FIR No. 18/2026 registered under Sections 204, 319(2), 308(2), 338 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The agency alleged that the accused impersonated Crime Branch and ACB officials, threatened senior citizens with false complaints and arrest, and extorted money from them. In one such case, the accused allegedly extorted more than ₹30 lakh from a senior citizen in Srinagar.
Searches were conducted at the residences of four accused persons identified as Mubashir Ahmad Yatto alias Wani of Rangil, Nagbal in Ganderbal; Naseer Maqbool Bichoo of Khwaja Yarbal, Saidakadal; Mudasir Sadiq Najar of Kalal Doori, Naid Kadal, Srinagar; and Muneer Ahmad Mir of Gousia Colony, Elahi Bagh, Srinagar.
The Crime Branch appealed to the public to remain vigilant against fraudsters involved in cheating, forgery, cyber-enabled offences, impersonation and other organised crimes. It advised citizens not to fall prey to fraudulent schemes, forged documents or false promises and urged them to report any such activities to the nearest police station or the Crime Branch for appropriate legal action.
