Two Cases. Same Playbook. One Alarming Pattern.

Within weeks of each other, Hubballi saw two incidents involving men impersonating officers from the Enforcement Directorate, the central agency that investigates financial crimes and money laundering.

In the first case, the City Crime Branch (CCB) arrested four men who had posed as ED officials to target residents. In the second, five men allegedly used the same impersonation tactic to commit robbery. The similarity between the two incidents points to a coordinated criminal network operating a rehearsed con.

How the Scam Works

The pattern is consistent across both cases. The accused arrive at a home or business dressed formally, often displaying fake ID cards or printed documents that look official. They claim to be conducting a search or inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). They create fear, threaten arrest, and then demand cash to make the supposed case go away.

Victims, worried about legal trouble and unfamiliar with how the real ED operates, often comply without questioning the credentials.

What the Real ED Will and Will Not Do

The actual Enforcement Directorate does not collect cash during raids. Real ED operations are preceded by official written summons or court-backed warrants. Officers carry government-issued ID that can be verified through the ED’s regional office. If anyone claiming to be an ED officer demands cash or valuables on the spot, it is a scam.

Residents who face such a situation are advised to ask for the officer’s identity card, note the vehicle number, and immediately contact the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Control Room at 100 or reach the CCB directly.

CCB’s Response and Ongoing Investigation

The City Crime Branch has indicated that arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing to trace the full network behind these impersonation robberies. Police have urged residents, especially those running businesses or holding significant assets, to be alert and not cooperate with unannounced visitors claiming government authority.

Stay Safe: Checklist for Residents

Always ask for official identification and write down the officer’s name and ID number. Call the police helpline before allowing entry. Do not hand over cash, documents, or jewellery under any unverified authority claim. Report the incident even if you have already been victimised, as it helps police track the network.

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