New Delhi: Delhi Police has arrested a man who allegedly posed as an additional district magistrate (ADM) from Uttar Pradesh and cheated several people of nearly Rs 60 lakh by promising govt jobs and land allotments in Noida, officials said.The case surfaced after a complaint was filed on March 23, alleging cheating and impersonation. The accused, identified as Pawan Kumar Pandey, allegedly introduced himself as “Varun Kumar Pandey, ADM, Uttar Pradesh” and claimed close links with senior officials to win the victims’ trust.Deputy commissioner of police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said the accused lured the complainant and his associates with assurances of govt jobs and plots in Noida under official schemes, taking around Rs 60 lakh from them.During the probe, police analysed digital and financial records and tracked the money trail. Using technical surveillance and document verification, the accused was identified and arrested.Police said a telephonic conversation revealed that the accused continued to impersonate an ADM posted at Lodhi Road and also claimed he served as sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Mehnagar tehsil of Azamgarh.Verification of phone identities linked to the numbers used by the accused showed they were registered in the name of “Varun Kumar Pandey.” However, police confirmed with the real officer — a 2015-batch provincial civil services (PCS) officer and former ADM of Jhansi — that his identity had been misused.The accused had allegedly been posing as an ADM for several years, using publicly available photographs and information of the officer from social media to appear credible.The probe also showed he received large sums through intermediaries and used the money to acquire movable assets. Police are examining the role of other associates and trying to identify more victims.
