Arrest in Sitapur
Law enforcement in Sitapur has apprehended a husband‑wife team accused of defrauding approximately ₹27 lakh by pretending to be a bank manager and an Income Tax Department inspector. The duo, identified as Rohit Bajpai and his wife Annu Bajpai (also known as Chandra), hail from Kannauj.
How the Ruse Unfolded
Investigators say the couple first scouted the locality in May before moving into a rented house in Prem Nagar on 31 August. Rohit claimed to be the manager of the Punjab National Bank branch in Mishrikh, while Annu presented herself as an Income Tax inspector, both brandishing counterfeit identity cards to lend credibility to their act.
Victims and the Money Trail
The initial victim, Ramnaresh Jaiswal, was persuaded to part with ₹20 lakh under the pretext of buying auctioned gold at a reduced price. He was later coaxed into handing over an additional ₹2 lakh for a supposed exchange of damaged currency notes. Other victims included Premlata Bajpai, who lost ₹1 lakh, and laundry businessman Atul, who was duped out of ₹4 lakh.
Escape Route and Asset Seizure
After the scams were executed, the pair fled by car on 14 September, hopping between vehicles and traversing Agra, Kota, Betul and Chennai in an attempt to evade capture. Authorities recovered ₹14 lakh in cash, jewellery valued at roughly ₹6 lakh, four mobile phones and several forged identification documents. Two of the phones alone were estimated to be worth about ₹50,000.
Investigation Insights
Superintendent of Police Ankur Agrawal revealed that, during questioning, the couple confessed to orchestrating similar frauds since 2005. Their pattern involved traveling across states, establishing trust under false pretences, and vanishing once the money was secured.
Reward for Leads
The police unit that dismantled the operation has been offered a reward of ₹25,000 in recognition of their efforts.
