The fraudster was identified as Mohd Shafi Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Iqbal Colony Old Town Baramulla.

BARAMULLA — Police on Tuesday said that they have arrested a fraudster in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district for duping an 80-year-old woman of Rs 50,000 for releasing her son from police custody.

The spokesperson in a statement said that acting swiftly on a complaint filed by one lady (name withheld) Baramulla Police arrested a fraudster, Mohd Shafi Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Iqbal Colony Old Town Baramulla C/O Pakeeza Textiles Baramulla and recovered an amount of Rs 50,000 from his possession which he had taken from the complainant for release of her son from police custody who was arrested by police on 07/01/2021 in case FIR No. 218/2020 under section 7/25 Arms Act, 18/ 19/ 20/ 39 U A (P) Act and presently lodged in District Jail Rajouri.

“The complainant in her complaint has stated that the fraudster has not helped in any way against the complainant in releasing her son. Later the fraudster issued fake cheques in favour of the complainant which got bounced thus duped and cheated this widow and poverty-ridden 80-year-old woman without any courtesy,” the spokesperson said.

The fraudster posing as a social activist remains very active on social media thus giving an impression of a responsible citizen with the intent to target gullible masses. The general public is requested not to fall prey to such deceptions, said the spokesperson, adding that the accused has been remanded to police custody by the Court of Sub Judge Baramulla till 05/05/2022. (KDC)