Pune, February 10, 2024 – In a distressing incident on February 8, a Yemeni couple residing in Pune fell prey to fraudsters impersonating police officers, resulting in a loss of Rs 4.79 lakh. The incident occurred at Ashirwad Chowk in Kondhwa around 4:30 p.m., highlighting the vulnerability of individuals, especially those facing language barriers.
The victims, a 52-year-old Yemeni national and his spouse, have been residing in a rental apartment in Meetha Nagar since December of the previous year. The woman, currently undergoing cancer treatment at a private hospital in the city, became the target of impersonation fraud.
According to a Kondhwa Police officer, the couple was stopped by two men in a four-wheeler, purportedly dressed as policemen, on their way home from the hospital. The fraudsters, one of whom flashed a fake “police ID card,” claimed the couple’s movements were suspicious. Speaking to them in Arabic, the scammers asked the victims to reveal their possessions. Distracted, the couple displayed their medical records and the cash they were carrying, providing an opportunity for the fraudsters to flee with the substantial amount.
Despite the language barrier, the Kondhwa Police are actively pursuing specific leads to apprehend the culprits. The victims, unfamiliar with the local language and English, took time to report the crime, posing a challenge to the investigation. In similar cases, authorities often seek the assistance of a translator to facilitate the filing of police complaints.
Santosh Sonawane, Kondhwa Police, highlighted the efforts made in 2023 with the assistance of the Yemen Embassy to educate Yemeni residents in Kondhwa about safeguarding their documents and cash. The incident underscores the need for enhanced awareness and vigilance, especially among vulnerable communities, to prevent falling victim to such fraudulent activities.
