Fraudsters impersonate ACB, extort Rs 10 lakh from RTA officials in Warangal

In Warangal, some fraudsters posing as ACB officials extorted Rs 10.20 lakh from RTA staff by threatening arrest over alleged corruption. The scam surfaced after one Motor Vehicle Inspector grew suspicious and approached the ACB office, which confirmed no such calls were made.

Warangal: Unidentified persons posing as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials allegedly extorted over Rs 10 lakh from Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials in Warangal. The incident came to light recently following a complaint by one of the victims.

It may be recalled that ACB officials had recently conducted surprise inspections at RTA check posts across the State and reportedly unearthed several irregularities. In the aftermath of these raids, the fraudsters contacted a few Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) in Warangal from different mobile numbers about four days ago.

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Claiming to know details of their alleged corrupt practices, the callers threatened the MVIs with arrest unless they transferred money. Fearing legal action, the officials reportedly deposited Rs 10.20 lakh in multiple transactions into the accounts of the fraudsters.

However, one of the MVIs grew suspicious of the caller’s behaviour and approached the local ACB office. Officials there clarified that no such calls had been made by them and advised the MVI to lodge a complaint with the local police.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ACB confirmed that a complaint had been registered at Mills Colony Police Station. The agency cautioned government employees not to believe such calls or make any payments to unknown persons posing as officials.

The ACB further advised that any public servant or member of the public receiving such fraudulent calls should immediately report the matter to its toll-free helpline 1064 and inform the nearest police station.