Man posing as Odisha Chief Minister nabbed in Gangtok fraud attempt

Sadar Police Station in Gangtok arrested a 25-year-old man from West Bengal for impersonating the Chief Minister of Odisha in a brazen attempt to commit financial fraud. The accused, identified as Abhijit Mondal of Howrah, was apprehended following a swift and coordinated operation by local police, aided by the vigilance of a senior government official.

The case came to light after Shri Tenzing Dorjee, Chairman of the Sikkim State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (SIMFED), lodged a verbal complaint with Sadar Police. Dorjee reported receiving a suspicious phone call from an unknown number, during which the caller falsely claimed to be the Chief Minister of Odisha. The impersonator attempted to solicit financial help, alleging it was for a person in urgent need.

Sensing the fraudulent nature of the request, Shri Dorjee cleverly cooperated with authorities and invited the caller to Gangtok under the guise of offering assistance. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the Sadar PS team set up a trap and managed to arrest the accused upon his arrival in the city.

Police sources confirmed that the accused had come to Gangtok expecting to collect money. However, instead of a successful con, he walked into the hands of law enforcement. Preliminary investigations have confirmed the intent to defraud, and further inquiries are underway to determine whether Mondal was involved in similar impersonation scams elsewhere.