In a significant crackdown on fraudulent activities, a conman impersonating an Army officer has been apprehended in Pune by a collaboration between the Military Intelligence (MI) unit of the Indian Army’s Southern Command and the local police. The accused, identified as Nitin Balaji Suryawanshi, hails from Devni in the Latur district of Maharashtra and was arrested near the Southern Command headquarters.
The investigation into Suryawanshi’s activities began when a 23-year-old individual, Bharat Mahate, lodged a complaint at the Bundgarden police station. Mahate alleged that the conman had misled him into believing he could secure a position in the Indian Army through dubious means.
Suryawanshi’s method of operation involved donning an Army uniform and presenting himself as a recruitment officer in and around the Southern Command area. He targeted job seekers, particularly those stemming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, using charm and authority to entice them into a trap of false promises.
The initial encounter between Mahate and Suryawanshi took place at Udgir railway station in Latur back in August. Suryawanshi induced Mahate into believing that for a payment of ₹2 lakh, he would be provided with a job within a month. Ultimately, Mahate transferred ₹1.75 lakh, which included both cash and online transactions, but failed to receive the anticipated job offer.
Upon discovering the deception, Military Intelligence took action, leading to further investigation and Suryawanshi’s eventual arrest. Law enforcement officials also recovered a fake Army uniform from his residence, which pointed to the extensive nature of his fraudulent scheme.
Authorities have uncovered that Suryawanshi’s scams were not confined to Pune; he had reportedly cheated several individuals across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Police estimate that he charged approximately ₹3 lakh per candidate, potentially netting between ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh through his recruitment fraud. Investigators are also looking into any potential connections Suryawanshi might have had with current Army personnel, which might have facilitated his operations.
In response to these events, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Suryawanshi under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include charges related to cheating and impersonation of a public servant. Investigations are still ongoing as authorities work diligently to identify additional victims and any accomplices involved in the scheme.
In light of this incident, law enforcement officials are advising job seekers to exercise caution and ensure that they verify recruitment processes through official Army channels to safeguard themselves from similar scams in the future.
