New Delhi: Police have launched an investigation after receiving a complaint that fraudsters sought donations for a senior scientist’s wife’s heart transplant by circulating emails from a forged ID in the name of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) director general.According to the complaint, unknown persons created the email ID and impersonated the secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and director general of ICAR.The fraud came to light on June 4, when several ICAR employees and scientists alerted the official that emails were being circulated in his name seeking financial assistance.The email claimed that “one of our senior scientists needs our help” and stated that the scientist’s wife was suffering from a critical heart disease requiring a heart transplant. Recipients were told that those willing to contribute should respond, following which bank account details would be provided.In the complaint, filed by the senior principal private secretary to the secretary, DARE, and DG, ICAR, it was alleged that the communication was designed to appear as an official request.The complainant sought action against those responsible for creating a fake electronic identity, impersonating a senior govt official and attempting to cheat recipients using forged communication.The case was transferred from Kartavya Path police station to the Cyber Police Station in New Delhi district.An FIR was registered on June 13 under Sections 204 (personating a public servant), 319 (cheating by personation) and 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.Police are working to identify those behind the email account, trace its digital footprint and determine if any financial loss occurred.
