Man held in Trichy for posing as cop, duping youth with fake auction offer

Trichy: A 25-year-old man from Ramanathapuram district was arrested in Trichy on Wednesday for impersonating a police constable and cheating a youth by promising to secure a motorcycle through a police auction.The accused, S Sam of Pamban, had recently arrived in Trichy in search of a job. He befriended A Mohamed Kaif, 20, who works at a mobile shop near Chathiram Bus Stand and stays in Edamalaipatti Pudur. Posing as a constable in the Armed Reserve Police, Sam gained Kaif's trust and initially borrowed Rs 1,000, claiming he could not use digital payments due to a damaged phone. On March 23, he told Kaif that the police were conducting a vehicle auction and offered to help him purchase a two-wheeler. He collected another Rs 1,000 as an advance but failed to arrange the vehicle or return the money. Suspecting fraud, Kaif lodged a complaint. Police investigation confirmed that Sam was impersonating a constable. A case was registered at Edamalaipatti Pudur Crime police station under Sections 205 and 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for impersonation and cheating. Sam was arrested, produced before a magistrate, and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is on.