Rajkot: A 32-year-old man was arrested in Surendranagar by Rajkot Range police for allegedly impersonating a deputy superintendent of police (DySP), using AI-generated images in police uniform and forged documents to dupe people.The accused, identified as Sohil Pathan of Sayla, was apprehended by a team led by Rajkot Range IG Nirlipt Rai after officials received information that he was posing as a police officer on social media for financial gain.According to police, Pathan falsely claimed to be a former police inspector with the Dahod Local Crime Branch (LCB) and a DySP with the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). He allegedly uploaded photographs of himself in police uniform on social media and projected himself as a serving officer.Speaking to TOI, IG Rai said the Rajkot Range team received a tip-off about the impersonation racket. During questioning, investigators examined Pathan’s mobile phone and found that he had used artificial intelligence applications to create realistic images of himself in police uniform.Police recovered several forged documents, including a fake Gujarat Police identity card purportedly issued in 2023, a bogus duty pass, fabricated transfer orders, and a fake no-objection certificate dated May 20. One forged transfer order allegedly showed his transfer from Limkheda in Dahod district to Kutch.Investigators said Pathan confessed that he was unemployed and had created the fake police identity to convince people that he could help them with official matters. He allegedly used the false persona to extort money from victims.During interrogation, Pathan allegedly admitted that a man from Madhya Pradesh had approached him for help in unfreezing a bank account. Police said he charged the man Rs 22,000, which was deposited into the account of his friend, Avesh Karigar, before being withdrawn in cash.Officials also found WhatsApp chats containing fake certificates and transaction details exchanged between Pathan and the complainant from Madhya Pradesh.A case has been registered under Sections 204 and 205 of the BNS and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.
