Man held for cheating women by posing as police constable

A 30-year-old data entry operator, attached with Rameshwaram police, was arrested by Arakkonam Town police in Ranipet on Thursday for posing as a police constable and cheating a group of women of ₹30 lakhs and nine sovereigns of gold jewellery by promising to invest it in fishery business.

Police said the arrested person was identified as K. Vishnu Priyan, a native of Thiruvalangadu village near Arakkonam. He was working in Rameshwaram for the past few years.

Initial inquiry revealed that Priyan used to visit his native village and Arakkonam town regularly. Police said that during such trips, he wears police uniform and reportedly claimed that he works as police constable in Rameshwaram police station.

Police said Priyan got befriended with staff working in a beauty parlour in Arakkonam town and allegedly lured them to invest in a business, in which he claimed to have invested his money. Police said a group of women staff at the parlour reportedly gave around ₹30 lakh and nine sovereigns of gold jewellery to invest in the business, and share its profits to them. However, he did not respond to them after receiving money and jewellery.

Police said the affected victims lodged complaints with Arakkonam Town police. A case was registered. He was arrested and lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. Further probe is under way.