Fake Cops, Real Crimes: The Rise Of Impersonation In Law Enforcement

Raja Choudhary

15 Jan 2025 7:28 AM

  • Fake Cops, Real Crimes: The Rise Of Impersonation In Law Enforcement

    The alarming rise in impersonation crimes, including the establishment of fake police stations, highlights a significant gap in our regulatory framework. Reports reveal cases where individuals pose as law enforcement officers, judges, military personnel, or state employees to exploit unsuspecting victims. Fake police stations, in particular, prey on citizens' trust, leading to...

    The alarming rise in impersonation crimes, including the establishment of fake police stations, highlights a significant gap in our regulatory framework. Reports reveal cases where individuals pose as law enforcement officers, judges, military personnel, or state employees to exploit unsuspecting victims. Fake police stations, in particular, prey on citizens' trust, leading to financial exploitation and societal harm.

    These frauds are no longer limited to physical impersonation. In the digital realm, fraudsters use stolen personal information to commit cybercrimes such as identity theft, phishing, and financial fraud. On social media platforms, fake accounts mimicking reputable organizations or influential individuals deceive users, causing reputational and financial losses. There is also international news that China is secretly opening police stations in many countries.

    Addressing these challenges requires urgent legal reforms. The Police Act of 1861, a colonial-era law, must be overhauled to tackle contemporary crimes. State police acts also need updates to address the complexities of impersonation crimes, while new laws must specifically target fake police stations and fraudulent impersonation of government agents.

    Proposed reforms should include stricter penalties for offenders, stringent regulations to monitor police station authenticity, safeguards against digital impersonation, and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on identifying and reporting fraud. International collaboration is equally vital to address cross-border impersonation crimes and ensure global accountability.

    The rise in impersonation crimes reflects the audacity of fraudsters and systemic vulnerabilities. Swift legislative action is crucial to protect citizens, restore public trust, and strengthen national security in the face of these evolving threats.

    ROLE OF POLICE STATIONS

    The Police Station is a key functional unit from where the police discharge its tasks of maintenance of law & order, investigation of cases etc. It is by far the most visible of all criminal justice institutions and provides immediate and direct services to the public as defined in various laws and judgments of various courts delivered from time to time. Additionally, it serves as a 24-hour, 365 days a year contact point for victims of crime or more correctly, an interface point between police and public.

    The History of the Development of the police organisation dates back to ancient times and finds mention in the ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian texts. The Indian Historical reference of ancient times also has numerous mentions of the police system be it Mahabharata, Ramayana, Manusanhitta or the various religious or secular texts of the Gupta dynasty, Maurya dynasty and Mughals.

    The first police force comparable to present-day police station was established in 1667 under King Louis XIV in France, although modern police usually trace their origins to the 1800 establishment of the Marine Police in London, the Glasgow Police, and the Napoleonic police of Paris. The first modern police force is also commonly said to be the London Metropolitan Police, established in 1829, which promoted the preventive role of police as a deterrent to urban crime and disorder. The colonial British government in India established the modern police system in India. It was obvious that the various police commissions established by the British and the police act of 1861 had important contributions in the development of the police system in India.

    More specifically in Postcolonial India, the word ' Police Station' is defined in section 2 (s) of CrPC 1973 wherein 'Police Station' means:

    'any post or place declared generally or specially by the State Government, to be Police Station, and includes any local area specified by the State Government in this behalf.'

    A Police Station is the nodal office of the Police through which the Police Department carries out its statutory duties of prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law and order and all other allied functions within the ambit of these two broad categories of work. To carry out these vital functions, a police station consists of a building official and residential premises manpower and equipment.

    However, for a Police Station to exercise any legal powers, it has to be notified by the Government with its exact geographical jurisdiction and location of the Police Station. As per the Criminal Justice System existing in India, legal powers to initiate any action against crime is dependent upon the place of occurrence of the incident. Hence for any Police Station to exercise any legal action, the crime should have occurred in an area, which should have been notified as the area of jurisdiction of that Police Station.

    INSTANCES OF INDIVIDUALS OPENING FAKE/PRIVATE POLICE STATIONS, COURTS ETC.

    The rise in impersonation crimes can be attributed to a combination of societal, technological, and systemic vulnerabilities. People's inherent trust in authority figures such as police officers and judges makes them susceptible to deception, especially when conmen present fake uniforms, IDs, or credentials to establish credibility. This trust is further exploited due to a lack of public awareness and the absence of easy mechanisms to verify the authenticity of such officials.

    Technological advancements have also played a significant role, enabling fraudsters to create convincing fake documents, IDs, and online profiles. Combined with easy access to personal information through data breaches or careless sharing on social media, fraudsters can tailor scams to appear more credible. Meanwhile, outdated regulatory frameworks and weak enforcement mechanisms create systemic loopholes that enable these crimes.

    Following are instances where individuals impersonated Judges to fool innocent people—

    1. In Gujarat, authorities arrested Morris Samuel Christian, a 37-year-old resident of Gandhinagar, for operating a fake tribunal since 2019. Christian, lacking any valid legal degree, posed as a judge and conducted sham court proceedings, particularly targeting individuals involved in land disputes. He established a mock courtroom, complete with associates acting as court personnel, to deceive his victims into believing they were participating in legitimate legal processes. Christian's fraudulent activities included passing counterfeit judgments and orders, which he then used to manipulate official records for his clients' benefit.
    2. The Bihar police recently arrested a man for impersonating a Patna High Court judge and attempting to influence an investigation against IPS officer Aditya Kumar, accused of colluding with the liquor mafia during his tenure as SSP Gaya. The fraudster allegedly called the DGP to request the case be closed. Following this, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) registered an FIR against both the caller and the IPS officer, who is currently absconding. Three associates of the impersonator were also arrested, and nine mobile phones along with several fake SIM cards were seized.

    A table showcasing instances of fake police stations being established is provided below:

    S. NO

    PARTICULARS

    SOURCE

    BIHAR

    1

    The Bihar's Banka police have arrested a gang of five fraudsters, including two women, who have been running a parallel police station inside a guest house, just a stone's throw away from the Town station and the residence of superintendent of police.

    The gang successfully operated their enterprise for over eight months, right under the nose of the Banka police, with the imposters brazenly using police uniforms of sub-inspectors and DSPs.

    • Article by Times of India dated 18.08.2022

    https://shorturl.at/EPsgV

    • Article by NDTV dated 18.08.2022

    https://shorturl.at/gM1HF

    • Article by Economic times dated 18.08.2022

    https://shorturl.at/vqWko

    • Article by Hindustan Times dated 18.08.2022

    https://shorturl.at/ibcnu

    • Article by Independent dated 18.08.2022

    https://rb.gy/fwdrml

    • Article by First Post dated 19.08.2022

    https://rb.gy/keezcx

    • Article by Economic Times dated 23.08.2022.

    https://rb.gy/aiz5v7

    2.

    A 23-year-old man masquerading as a trainee sub-inspector of police arrested in Khagaria, Bihar.

    • Article by The Times of India dated 02.11.2021.

    https://rb.gy/qnz80w

    SRINAGAR

    3

    Two people from Punjab posing as fake police officers arrested at Srinagar

    • Article by The Dispatch Staff dated 08.08.2024

    https://rb.gy/mypgdf

    • Article by Daily excelsior dated 08.08.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/4bynkj3m

    GUJARAT

    4.

    The Gujarat Police have arrested three men for posing as cops and trying to extort money from a villager by carrying out a liquor raid. Police officials said that they received information about some men carrying out searches in Gujarat's Shinor and threatening people.

    • Article by ETVBharat dated 03.01.2024

    https://tinyurl.com/bde7a438

    5.

    Ahmedabad police nabs fake cops extorting money near Ognaj Ring Road

    • Article by Gujarat Samachar dated 11.06.2024

    https://tinyurl.com/3d95sn3b

    6.

    Fake Cops robbed cargo van with jewellery worth 4 Crore on Ahmedabad Rajkot Highway

    • Article by Times of India dated 19.02.2023

    https://tinyurl.com/4spuzutt

    TAMIL NADU

    7.

    A gang ran a fake police station and court at Chennai

    • Article by NDTV dated 20.07.2010

    https://tinyurl.com/4wcmw3xw

    8.

    A man impersonating police officer arrested at Coimbatore.

    • Article by Simplicity dated 20.07.2023

    https://tinyurl.com/yyypsa24

    MADHYA PRADESH

    9.

    4 men posing as cops create fake police stations to extort money from locals at Gwalior

    • Article by ANI dated 21.11.2019

    https://tinyurl.com/44enxasv

    ODISHA

    10.

    A man beat up a youth posing as a police officer

    • Article by Sambad dated 30.06.2023

    https://tinyurl.com/2ejt67f5

    11.

    A fake police gang in Bhubaneswar has been arrested by the Commissionerate police. Reports say that as many as seven-member of the gang were from Madhya Pradesh and had committed crimes in various states including Odisha.

    ANDHRA PRADESH

    12.

    Fake police collected fines from individuals

    • Article by The Hans India dated 23. 09.2019.

    https://tinyurl.com/9nny9px9

    13.

    Two men posing as Andhra Pradesh cops arrested at Kolkata

    • Article by Times of India dated 11.03.2022.

    https://tinyurl.com/94zrdh9p

    MAHARASHTRA

    14.

    A father received a call from fraudsters pretending to be Mumbai Police asking for a bribe to release his 'rape' accused son.

    • Article by The Free Press Journal dated 18.07.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/3tk93uct

    15.

    A man posed as a cop at Palghar Maharashtra and cheated a mobile shop owner for 1.6 lakh rupees.

    • Article by The Print dated 29.05.2024

    https://tinyurl.com/2p9txuwe

    16.

    A café owner at Mumbai robbed of rupees 25 lakh by six men impersonating cops.

    • Article by Deccan Herald dated 16.05.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/ycxdbxsd

    KARNATAKA

    17

    A fake IPS officer blackmailed and beat up a senior citizen

    • Article by Economic Times dated 18.12.2019

    https://tinyurl.com/y3bcbhjp

    18

    Scamsters posing as Mumbai Cops attempted to con Karnataka High Court judges.

    • Article by Deccan Herald dated 19.03.2024

    https://tinyurl.com/nza9amkm

    WEST BENGAL

    19

    A man allegedly posing as an officer of the special branch of Kolkata police and cheating a job aspirant.

    • Article by The Telegraph Online dated 15.09.2021

    https://tinyurl.com/3dxcpfpb

    ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR

    20

    A fake police officer scammed a man of rupees 20,000/-

    • An article by Nicobar Times dated 03.06.2024

    https://tinyurl.com/yckecxnp

    DELHI

    21

    The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has busted a racket of fake police officials and public prosecutors, who were involved in extortion from innocent prominent persons all over India on the pretext of settlement against non-bailable warrants issued by the Courts in cases filed by the Reserve Bank of India

    • An article by Newsroom24X7 dated 29.05.2016.

    https://tinyurl.com/3rf2eyhk

    22

    A 72 year old resident of Delhi became a victim of an elaborate fraud where a man pretended to be police officer, sent fake arrest warrants. The crooks took her on a video call and asked her to remain confined in a room where she was being 'held under observation'. They made the victim transfer Rupees 83 lakh.

    • An article by The Times of India dated 25.07.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/465vjcsx

    23

    A 61 year old man for posing as a Delhi Police Officer and demanded money from people promising undue benefits in the criminal cases involving them.

    • An article by The Times of India dated 24.11.2023

    https://tinyurl.com/bddkawu4

    UTTAR PRADESH

    24

    Ghaziabad police arrested three suspects who worked as recovery agents and illegally seize vehicles from bank loan defaulters using forged documents made using fake stamps of Vijay Nagar police station and also of Lanka police station in Varanasi

    • An article by Hindustan Times dated 14.12.2023

    https://tinyurl.com/e8apasts

    25

    A man posing as a police officer from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, cheated a 59-year-old woman and made away with ₹16.3 lakh on the pretext of probing a money laundering case

    • An article by The Hindu dated 06.05.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/mr2kw3r3

    26

    A man poses as cop to watch movies, eat at roadside stalls for free.

    • An article by India Today dated 09.09.2024

    https://tinyurl.com/22sw7vha

    27

    Four men arresting for impersonating policemen and looting three pilgrims at Kanpur

    • An article by The Times Of India dated 07.05.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/3ps8z7cp

    PUNJAB

    28

    Three persons who duped a man of Rs 12,000 by posing as CIA police staff were arrested by the Jalandhar rural police.

    • An article by The Tribune dated 29.06.2024.

    https://tinyurl.com/4ws447z6

    DIGITAL ARREST- A NEW TREND

    In the digital age, impersonation crimes have taken a new, more sinister turn, with fraudsters exploiting online platforms to target unsuspecting victims. The increase in fully online police scams is one concerning development. These scams are commonly being referred to as 'Digital Arrest' and in these scams, people impersonating police officials' phone or email victims, frequently threatening legal action or presenting fake "digital arrest warrants." Technology is used by scammers to produce believable documents, make video calls, and mimic official processes, giving victims little time to confirm the legitimacy of the exchange.

    Digital arrest scam is happening in the country on a large level. Just Bihar reported 301 cases of Digital arrest in 2024. Below is a table showcasing some of the digital arrest scams.

    S. No

    Particulars

    Source

    1.

    Gwalior BSF Inspector Lost ₹71 Lakh During Month-Long Digital Arrest and Sold Delhi Property To Arrange Money

    An Article by Free Press Journal dated 07.01.2025

    https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/gwalior-bsf-inspector-loses-71-lakh-during-month-long-digital-arrest-sold-delhi-property-to-arrange-money

    2.

    Influencer Ankush Bhaguna kept hostage through a Digital arrest for 40 hours

    An article by Indian Express dated 06.01.2025

    https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/gwalior-bsf-inspector-loses-71-lakh-during-month-long-digital-arrest-sold-delhi-property-to-arrange-money

    3.

    The woman, a 35-year-old government guest teacher, allegedly consumed poison on Sunday evening and died on way to the hospital due to digital arrest

    An article by Hindustan times dated 06.01.2025

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/digital-arrest-mp-teacher-dies-by-suicide-as-cyber-fraudsters-threaten-her-over-illegal-parcel-101736167397633.html

    4.

    Elderly woman from Mumbai loses ₹1.5 crore in 'digital arrest', scammers pose as SIT officers

    An article by Hindustan times dated 02.01.2025

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai-elderly-woman-loses-rs-1-5-crore-in-digital-arrest-scammers-pose-as-sit-officers-101735820771904.html

    5.

    Air hostess duped of Rs 10 lakh after being threatened with arrest in fake case

    An article by India Today dated 04.01.2025

    https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-kalyan-thane-airhostess-digital-arrest-cyber-crime-2659682-2025-01-04

    6.

    Under digital arrest, 55-year-old man made to go from Faridabad to Bihar

    An article by The Times of India dated 27.11.2024

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/digital-arrest-man-duped-in-cbi-money-laundering-scam/articleshow/115703688.cms

    7.

    A man from Gurugram put under "digital arrest" and Rs 2 lakh were extorted from him by cyber thugs, who falsely accused him of being involved in a money laundering case

    An article by The Press Trust of India:

    https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/gurugram-cyber-thugs-put-man-under-digital-arrest-extort-rs-2-lakh/1576305

    8.

    A 72-year-old man from Jaipur defrauded of Rs 8 lakh in hour-long digital arrest scam

    An article by India Today dated 24.11.2024:

    https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/jaipur/story/rajasthan-jaipur-news-digital-arrest-case-elderly-man-extorted-rs-8-lakh-fake-money-laundering-case-2639206-2024-11-24

    VAGUENESS IN LAW REGARDING OPENING A POLICE STATION

    Requirement of 'declaration' under Section 2(s) of CrPC is mandatory, not directory in nature.

    Section 2(s) of CrPC states that any post or place declared generally or specially by the State Government, to be a police station, and includes any local area specified by the State Government in this behalf is a Police Station .

    The correct interpretation of the said section is that it is not mandatory for the government to declare a particular post or place as a police station. However, if the government intends to use any post or place as a 'police station' then it ought to 'declare' it to be a police station. Section 2(m) of CrPC defines a “notification” to mean a notification published in the Official Gazette. The very purpose of 'declaring' any post or place to be a police station would stand defeated if its declaration is not published in the official gazette.

    Provided herewith are instances of a Real Police station not being notified—

    1. The Vigilance Police Station, 6, Circular Road, Patna, Bihar is not even declared to be a 'police station' under Section 2(s) of CrPC, let alone there being any publication of any such declaration in terms of Section 2(m) of CrPC. The High Court of Patna while dealing with Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.9785 of 2024 which was filed seeking a direction to the State of Bihar to issue notification under Section 2 (s) of the Cr.P.C., declaring establishment of Vigilance Police Station, 6 Circular Road, Patna, Bihar, held that Bare reading of definition of police station, prima facie, this Court finds that the declaration of any post or place to be a police station is directory in nature. An SLP was filed before the Supreme Court which was also dismissed held that there is no case to interfere with the High Court order.
    2. Similarly, Economic Offences Police Station, Patna has also not been notified and a case relating to the same issue is pending before the Supreme Court of India (SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CRL) NO. 5469-70 OF 2017)

    Even if interpreted as directory rather than mandatory, the act of notifying a police station should be treated as an essential procedural step. Failure to notify creates a legal vacuum, opening the door for the establishment of unauthorized or fake police stations.

    When a state government disregards such statutory provisions, the ramifications are multiple fold and often undesirable. This mandate of following all the provisions holds true even if no specific individual files a grievance, as adherence to statutory mandates ensures transparency and prevents misuse of authority.

    The issue underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of declaration and notification laws for police stations, coupled with robust monitoring mechanisms to prevent such abuse.

    A detailed table showcasing examples State laws that mandate declaration/Gazette notification for opening a Police Station is provided below:

    Serial No.

    Particulars

    Section (or its equivalent)

    1.

    Bihar Police Act 2007

    Section 8(1) The government, considering the area status of crime, duty in relation to law and order and the distance being covered by the public in reaching the police station may by notification setup as many police stations along with required number of police posts, as it deem expedient.

    2.

    Chhattisgarh Police Act 2007

    7(1) The state may by notification establish one or more police stations in a sub division specifying the territorial jurisdiction of each such police station.

    3.

    Uttar Pradesh

    Applicable Act: Uttar Pradesh Police Act, 1861 (with various amendments).

    Note: Uttar Pradesh uses the modified version of the Police Act of 1861.

    4.

    Delhi Police act 1978

    Constitution of police districts, sub-divisions and police stations.—Subject to the control of the Administrator, the Commissioner of Police shall— (a) constitute police districts within Delhi; (b) divide such police districts into police sub-divisions and specify the police stations comprised in each such sub-division; and (c) define the limits and extent of such police districts, police sub-divisions and police stations.

    5.

    Assam police act 2007

    11.(1) The State Government may, in consultation with the Director General of Police of the State and by notification, create as many Police Stations with as many outposts as necessary, in a Police District as deemed necessary, duly keeping in view the population, the area, the crime situation, the workload in terms of law and order and the distances to be travelled by the inhabitants to reach the Police Station.

    6.

    Haryana Police act 2007

    12. (1) The State Government may, on recommendation of the Director General of Police and by notification in the Official Gazette, create as many police stations with as many outposts as may be necessary, in a police district as deemed necessary, duly keeping in view the population, the area, the crime situation, the workload in terms of law and order and the distances to be traversed by the inhabitants to reach the police station.

    7.

    The Police act 1861

    4. Inspector-General of Police, etc.:- The administration of the police through-out a general police-district shall be vested in an officer to be styled the Inspector-General of Police, and in such Deputy Inspectors-General and Assistant Inspector-General, as the State Government shall deem fit. The administration of the police throughout the local jurisdiction of the Magistrate of the district shall, under the general control and direction of such Magistrate, be vested in

    a District Superintendent and such Assistant District Superintendents as the State Government shall consider necessary

    8.

    Meghalaya Police Act 2010

    Section 8.

    The state government in consultation with the director general of police, may by notification create as many police ranges as necessary. Each range consisting of two or more districts/ police districts. The State Government, in consultation with the Director General of

    Ranges. Police, may by notification, create as many Police Ranges as considered necessary. Each Range, consisting of two or more Districts/ Police Districts, shall be headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General/Inspector General of Police who shall supervise the police administration of the Range and report to the Addl. Director General of Police, Law and Order if there is one or else to the Director General of Police

    9.

    Mizoram Police act 2011

    Police Stations

    1. (1)  The State Government may, in consultation with the Director General of Police and by notification, create as many Police Stations with as many outposts as necessary, in a Police District as deemed necessary, duly keeping in view the population, the area, the crime situation, the workload in terms of law and order and the distances to be traversed by the inhabitants to reach the Police Station.

    10.

    Punjab Police act 2007

    8. (1)The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish for a municipal area and its adjoining area, a police system, which IS capable of handling the typical and complex problems of crime, public order or Internal security, which may call for quick and comprehensive response from the police by way of purposeful direction, unitary cham of command, professional competence, functional specialization and legal authority coupled with accountability.

    11.

    Orissa Urban Police Act 2003

    9. Constitution of Police district, subdivisions and police stations :–

    The Government may, by notification,-

    1. (a)  constitute police districts within the jurisdiction of a Commissionerate;
    2. (b)  divide such police districts into police subdivisions and specify the police stations comprised in each such subdivision; and
    3. (c)  define the limits and extent of such police districts, police sub-divisions and police stations.

    12.

    Sikkim Police Act

    10. (1) 10. (1)

    The State Government may, in consultation with the Director General of Police and by notification, create as many Police Stations with as many Outposts as necessary in a Police District, duly keeping in view the population, the area, the crime situation, the workload in terms of law and order, and the distances to be traversed by the inhabitants to reach the Police Stations.

    13.

    Rajasthan Police Act 2007

    8. Police Station. - (1) The State Government may, by notification, establish one or more Police Stations in a circle specifying the jurisdiction of each such Police Station. (2) The State Government may appoint a police officer not below the rank of Sub- Inspector of Police to be the incharge of a Police Station. (3) The State Government may, by notification, establish one or more outposts within the territorial jurisdiction of a Police Station specifying territorial jurisdiction of such outpost.

    14.

    Tamil Nadu police Act 1861

    Applicable Act: Tamil Nadu Police Act, 1861 (amended several times, with ongoing reforms).

    Note: Tamil Nadu continues to use the modified version of the Police Act of 1861.

    15.

    Telangana Police act, 1861

    Applicable Act: Telangana Police Act, 1861 (derived from the Andhra Pradesh Police Act).

    Note: After bifurcation in 2014, Telangana continues to use the modified version of the Andhra Pradesh Police Act until new legislation is passed.

    16.

    Tripura Police Act 2007

    10. Police Stations:

    1. (1)  The State Government may, by notification, create as many Police Stations with as many outposts as necessary, in a Police District as deemed necessary, duly keeping in view the population; the area, the crime situation, the work load in terms of law and order and the distance to be traversed by the inhabitants to reach the Police Station.
    2. (2)  A police station shall be headed by a Station House Officer who may also be known as officer-in-charge not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police.
    3. (3)  Each Police Station shall prominently display all the relevant information required to be made public, as may be required.

    17.

    Uttarakhand police act 2007

    7- (1) The State Government shall, by notification, create Police Stations, with or without outposts. (2) The State Government shall, by notification, notify the Circle and there shall be minimum two Police Stations in a Circle. (3) A Police Station shall be headed by an Officer-in-charge, who shall not be below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police.

    18.

    West Bengal police act

    West Bengal Applicable Act: West Bengal Police Act, 1955. Note: West Bengal has its specific police act.


    The surge in crimes involving impersonation, such as the creation of fictitious police stations and the abuse of power online, exposes serious flaws in the current judicial system. These weaknesses are being used by scammers to mislead the public, weaken confidence in law enforcement, and threaten the legal system. Current laws, such the Police Act of 1861 and other state laws, are out of date and insufficient to deal with the complexity of contemporary crimes.

    In order to appropriately the problem at hand, a comprehensive Police Amendment Act is necessary. Strong penalties for impersonation crimes, required reporting and disclosure procedures for police stations, strong technical safeguards, and public awareness-raising initiatives are all essential components of such legislation. Additionally, the law needs to be flexible enough to accommodate new risks, such as cross-border fraud and impersonation made possible by cyberspace.

    Only through holistic reform can we restore public confidence, ensure the integrity of law enforcement institutions, and safeguard citizens from falling prey to such sophisticated scams. It is time for policymakers and courts to act decisively and create a legal framework capable of addressing the challenges of this era.

    The Author is an Advocate practicing at Supreme Court of India. Views are personal.

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