Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, May 28: The Manipal police have apprehended two individuals who were posing as police officers and extorting money from unsuspecting victims.

According to reports, on May 26, Manjunath, a resident of Shirva, was conversing with his friends at Arbi Falls in Manipal. Two suspects, identified as Hanumanthappa from Haveri and Mahadevappa from Murudeshwara, approached them and claimed to be police officers from Manipal police station. They questioned Manjunath about his presence at the location and stated that they would contact the Sub-Inspector (SI) of Manipal police station. They further informed Manjunath that if the SI permitted, they would allow him and his friends to leave.

The accused duo made a phone call to another accomplice named Laxmana Kuppagonda and put him on speakerphone. Laxman impersonated himself as the SI of Manipal police station and demanded that Manjunath pay Rs 5,000 to the two accused, or else he would file a case against him. Fearing the consequences, Manjunath sent Rs 5,000 to the specified account via Google Pay.

However, Manjunath grew suspicious afterward and lodged a complaint at the Manipal police station. The Manipal police acted promptly and arrested the culprits involved in the extortion scheme.