_______________________________________________________________________


New Delhi, July 22, 2010 Press Release



Alert South Delhi residents help bust a gang of Impostors



Recently BSES has come across a few incidents of forgery and misrepresentation where impostors – masquerading as its officials - have managed to not only dupe and cheat gullible customers, but also have succeeded in exhorting thousands of rupees from them. What is a worrying trend is the ability of these cheats to increasingly come up with newer set of tricks to dupe their victims. They are not shying away from using forged stationary, letterheads and even fake I cards.


Thankfully there is also a growing tribe of alert customers, who are increasingly thwarting attempts of such unscrupulous elements. Recently alert residents in South Delhi’s Zakir Nagar Area (Near Ashram), not only helped nab a gang of impostors operating in South Delhi, but also had them arrested.


The Case


Five impostors masquerading as BRPL Enforcement officials went to the residence of a customer (name withheld on request) in South Delhi’s Zakir Bagh (near Ashram). After “inspecting” the meter, they declared it to be tampered and convinced the customer to “settle” the case rather than pay a hefty penalty to BRPL.


As agreed, the customer immediately paid Rs 5,000 as the first installment and promised to pay the second installment of Rs 10,000 after a few days. The customer wanted to pay the second installment of his “settlement” in front of his neighbours and had invited a few of them over to stand witness to the transaction a few hours later. Suspicious of the mannerisms of the masquerading officials, a few of the neighbours called up the local BRPL official and narrated the sequence of events.


BRPL team advised them to keep the “officials” engaged and delay them till they arrive. On arrival teams from, BRPL’ Vigilance and the Sarita Vihar division identified the impostors. Police was called-in and two impostors, including the mastermind, were arrested. In the ensuing melee, three managed to escape. A manhunt in on for them.


At the Jamia Nagar Police Station, a FIR (No 269/2010) dated July 21, 2010 has been filed against the gang u/s 419, 420 and 34 of the IPC. During interrogation, the Police recovered Rs 10,000 of the “deal” money (since returned to the customer), along with forged and expired I Identity cards of an Agency.


According to a BSES spokesperson, “BSES urges customers to guard against unscrupulous elements - out to make a quick buck in a clandestine manner and tarnish the company’s image. Do not to get intimidated by their threats and false assurances – and do not give them any money – whatever be the reason. All Enforcement (fines and penalties) and Commercial payments are to be made only at designated BSES offices”.




“Customers are further advised to ascertain and verify the antedescents of persons claiming to be from BSES. Genuineness of BSES / BSES issued Identity Cards can be ascertained by looking for the following – (i) BSES Logo, (ii) BSES Hologram, (iii) Photo of I Card holder, (iv) Date of Issue and Validity, (v) Signatures of I-card holder and Authorised signatory, (vi) Employee / I Card number and (vii) Name/ Logo/ Address of the Contractor and (viii) Identity Cards should be laminated”, said a BSES official, adding “Customers should immediately alert the nearest BSES office or call 39999808 and 39999707 and inform the local Police should they notice anything suspicious”, added the spokesperson.

BRPL and BYPL, Delhi’s premier power distribution companies are committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all their consumers.

____________________________________________________________________________________


For further information please contact:


Prashant Dua

Chandra P Kamat

Corporate Communications

Corporate Communications

39999870 / 9312007822

39999642/9350130304


Page 2 of 2