New Delhi – In a brazen case of digital fraud and impersonation, the Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva became the target of a sophisticated scam when an unidentified individual created a fake social media identity using his name and photograph. The fraudster then attempted to seek favors from the office of Uttar Pradesh’s deputy chief minister while posing as the Delhi BJP chief, leading to swift police action and the arrest of one individual involved in the elaborate scheme.
FIR Registered Against Impersonator
The Delhi Police registered a case of cheating by personation and forgery on Thursday at the cyber police station of the central district. The FIR was filed under sections 319 and 336 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a formal complaint lodged by Brijesh Rai, who works in the office of the Delhi BJP chief. The complaint detailed how an unknown person created a fraudulent online identity specifically designed to impersonate the senior political leader.
This case highlights the growing menace of digital impersonation targeting high-profile political figures, where fraudsters exploit the credibility and influence associated with positions like the Delhi BJP chief to advance their personal agendas or extract favors from government officials.
Details of the Impersonation Scheme
According to the complaint filed by Rai, the fraudster created a fake identity under the name ‘Birender Sachdeva’ on a social media platform, deliberately using the actual photograph of the Delhi BJP chief to lend authenticity to the fraudulent profile. The similarity in names—using ‘Birender’ instead of ‘Virendra’—was likely calculated to avoid immediate detection while still creating confusion about the account’s legitimacy.
The impersonator then leveraged this fake identity of the Delhi BJP chief to establish contact with the office of the deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The fraudster sought unspecified ‘favours’ while masquerading as Sachdeva, presumably attempting to exploit the political connections and influence associated with the position of Delhi BJP chief.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
The elaborate impersonation scheme targeting the Delhi BJP chief began to unravel when the office of the Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister contacted Sachdeva’s office to verify the requests being made. Sachdeva himself received a call from the deputy CM’s office inquiring about the matter, which immediately raised red flags.
“I got a call from the deputy CM’s office regarding the same. I was also told that a person named Dashrath Pal from Noida was there on my behalf,” explained the Delhi BJP chief in his statement about the incident. This revelation indicated that the fraud extended beyond mere online impersonation—someone had physically presented themselves at the deputy CM’s office claiming to represent Sachdeva.
Swift Denial and Action by Delhi BJP Chief
Upon learning about the fraudulent activities conducted in his name, the Delhi BJP chief immediately and categorically denied making any calls to the deputy chief minister’s office or sending any representative on his behalf. Sachdeva’s prompt response was crucial in preventing the fraud from succeeding and potentially causing embarrassment or complications in inter-state political relations.
“I denied making any calls or sending anyone for any favour, and asked that the person be arrested,” stated the Delhi BJP chief firmly, demonstrating his zero-tolerance approach toward such fraudulent activities. His immediate request for law enforcement action helped expedite the arrest process.
Arrest of Fraudster Dashrath Pal
Following the complaint and verification from the Delhi BJP chief’s office, local police in Uttar Pradesh moved swiftly to apprehend the individual who had physically appeared at the deputy CM’s office. Dashrath Pal from Noida was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police for his role in the impersonation scheme.
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The arrest demonstrates effective coordination between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh law enforcement agencies in addressing cyber fraud cases that span multiple jurisdictions. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan confirmed both the registration of the FIR and that one fraudster was successfully caught by Uttar Pradesh Police.
Growing Threat of Digital Impersonation
This incident involving the Delhi BJP chief represents a broader pattern of cybercriminals targeting prominent political figures through impersonation. The ease with which fake profiles can be created on social media platforms, combined with the widespread availability of public photographs, has made such fraudulent schemes increasingly common.
Political leaders like the Delhi BJP chief often maintain significant public profiles, making their photographs and basic information readily accessible online. Fraudsters exploit this accessibility to create convincing fake identities that can deceive even official government offices.
Legal Implications Under New Laws
The charges filed under sections 319 and 336 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita reflect India’s updated legal framework for addressing such cyber frauds. These provisions specifically target cheating by personation and forgery, recognizing the serious nature of crimes where individuals impersonate others—particularly public figures like the Delhi BJP chief—for personal gain.
Lessons for Digital Security
The case involving the Delhi BJP chief underscores the critical importance of verification procedures when dealing with requests purportedly coming from high-ranking officials. Government offices must implement robust authentication protocols to confirm the identity of individuals claiming to represent political leaders.
For the Delhi BJP chief and similar political figures, this incident highlights the need for enhanced digital security measures and regular monitoring of social media platforms for fake profiles. The swift resolution in this case serves as a model for handling such fraudulent attempts effectively.
