Delhi Police have arrested seven people for allegedly impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers, conducting fake raids, and intimidating people to extort money or valuables. The arrested suspects include a former bar and restaurant singer, a former bank employee, and a woman who previously ran a hotel. Police suspect the group may have targeted several people in Delhi and Mumbai while posing as officials of different government agencies.
The Fake Raid at Prashant Vihar
According to police, around eight members of the alleged gang reached the residence of businessman Pratham Aggarwal in Delhi's Prashant Vihar at around 10 pm on August 11. The group, comprising six men and two women, allegedly introduced themselves as CBI officers, displayed purported identity cards, and claimed they had arrived to conduct a raid.
Fake IDs Used to Intimidate the Family
Police said the businessman and his mother asked the alleged officers to produce proper authorisation or a search warrant. The suspects allegedly responded with threats and intimidation, remaining outside the house for nearly 90 minutes, creating panic among the family.
The situation changed after neighbours intervened and questioned the group about their credentials and authority. The suspects allegedly claimed a notice had been issued to the businessman's father and said they would collect it from their vehicle. They then left the spot, following which the family contacted the police.
Police said a purported fake CBI notice was also sent to the businessman's father on his mobile phone. Although the original message was later deleted, the family had retained a screenshot, which subsequently became an important part of the investigation.
How CCTV and Digital Evidence Exposed the Network
An FIR was registered at Prashant Vihar police station on August 19, under sections related to extortion, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators examined CCTV footage, digital evidence, and technical surveillance to trace the alleged network.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Asifa, 29, from Jammu and Kashmir; Pooja Aggarwal, a former bar and restaurant singer; Kuldeep Sharma, 63, a former bank employee; Chander Prakash Sharma, 38, a former electronics repairman; and unemployed men Shubham alias Golu, 25, Rajveer Singh, 21, and Nitin Sharma, 30.
According to police, Asifa had previously operated a hotel in Rajendra Place, which was later shut down after suffering losses. Investigators said she had interacted with people from police and Army backgrounds and allegedly projected herself as having connections with such personnel.
How the Network Reportedly Came Together
Police said Asifa met Kuldeep Sharma at a family wedding around eight months ago. At the time, Asifa and Pooja allegedly represented themselves as being connected with the CBI. Kuldeep had previously come into contact with the complainant through his banking-related work.
Investigators allege that Kuldeep provided Asifa and Pooja with information about the businessman, his residence, and the possible availability of cash or valuables at the premises. Pooja allegedly then played a role in arranging manpower for the purported raid.
According to police, Pooja contacted her brother-in-law Chander Prakash Sharma and asked him to arrange people who could pose as CBI officials. Chander allegedly arrived at the businessman's residence with Shubham, Rajveer, Nitin, and other associates.
Fake CBI Cards Recovered From Mobile Phones
Police said clothing bearing a CBI monogram was recovered from Chander. Eight mobile phones were also seized during the investigation. According to investigators, these devices contained photographs of fake identity cards, as well as photographs and videos showing members of the alleged group dressed as government officials.
Police said Shubham, Rajveer, and Nitin allegedly told investigators that Chander had contacted them to participate in the fake raids and that they were paid for each operation.
A Possible Pattern Across Delhi and Mumbai
Videos and other digital material recovered from the seized phones have led investigators to suspect that the group may have conducted several similar operations in Delhi and Mumbai over the past three to four months. Police also suspect that the accused may not have impersonated only CBI officers, but also personnel from the Enforcement Directorate and other government agencies during such operations.
Investigators are now examining how the group allegedly obtained information about potential victims' financial positions, business activities, and possession of cash or valuables. The roles of other suspects are being verified through CCTV footage, call detail records, technical surveillance, and other digital evidence.
Police said they are also working to identify other alleged associates involved in the Prashant Vihar incident, and determine whether additional victims and similar incidents are linked to this network. Further investigation is underway.
FAQs
Q1. How did the fake CBI gang allegedly identify their target in this case?
Investigators allege that former bank employee Kuldeep Sharma provided information about the businessman's residence and possible availability of cash or valuables, after coming into contact with him through banking work.
Q2. What evidence did police recover during the investigation?
Police recovered clothing bearing a CBI monogram, eight mobile phones containing fake identity card photographs, and videos showing the accused dressed as government officials.
Q3. Do investigators believe this gang targeted other victims?
Yes, digital material from seized phones suggests the group may have conducted similar fake raids in Delhi and Mumbai over the past three to four months, possibly impersonating other agencies like the Enforcement Directorate as well.