Ludhiana: In a case of high-tech deception and low-tech gadgets, a New Shimlapuri family has been charged with swindling a local car dealer out of ₹89.9 lakh by promising his son a “gazetted officer” rank in the Punjab Police. The elaborate ruse involved claims of being first cousins with a former DGP, photo-ops with politicians, and a “magic” keypad mobile phone.The victims were told the basic handset contained a “special chip” from the DGP’s office capable of tracking any phone in Punjab and messaging any police station. Instead of a uniform, however, the family’s son was left with a fake joining letter and a massive hole in the family’s finances.
A High-Price ‘Carrot’The accused, identified as Harjinder Singh, his wife Kulwinder Kaur, and their son Unique Singh, allegedly targeted car dealer Parminderpal by exploiting his son Naman’s passion for cricket. The “job” offer included ₹55 lakh for a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) post under the sports quota. The “business” lure was ₹34 lakh for an aluminum printing venture that promised high profits but delivered none.Harjinder reportedly used his late brother’s relationship with the victim to gain trust, reinforcing it with photographs of himself alongside former chief ministers and top brass. “He gave me a keypad mobile phone, claiming it was my official ‘sarkari’ number,” Naman Goyal told reporters. “He said it had an inbuilt chip to check any location in the state. We later realised it was just a normal phone used to keep the lie alive.“The Phillaur No-ShowThe fraud unravelled in Nov 2025 when Harjinder presented a forged joining letter directing Naman to report to the Police Academy in Phillaur. When the victim’s family insisted Harjinder accompany them for the induction, the excuses began. A two-month police inquiry confirmed that Harjinder has no relation to any former DGP, and his son — contrary to his claims — is not an assistant sub-inspector (ASI).Following the probe by an ADCP-ranked official, Shimlapuri police registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4) (cheating), 336 (forgery), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy). The trio is currently on the run. Investigating officer ASI Salwinder Pal confirmed that raids were on to apprehend the family. MSID:: 128646030 413 |
