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New Delhi 4 October 2010

Press Release

Impostors extort Rs 70,000 from a General Manager in South Delhi’s posh Sarvapriya Vihar

Apprehended red-handed by BSES

In a major break-through over the weekend, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) busted a gang of impostors operating in posh South Delhi’s areas. With help of an alert customer – General Manager in a large private sector organization – and a resident of South Delhi’s posh Sarvapriya Vihar - the company’s Vigilance Department apprehended Pritam, the gang leader, who masquerading as a BSES employee had extorted Rs 70,000 from the customer.

“Customers are advised to guard against unscrupulous elements - out to make a quick buck in a clandestine manner and tarnish the company’s image. They should not get intimidated by their threats and false assurances – and not to give them any money – whatever be the reason. No BSES official visiting any customer premise is authorised to collect cash payments. All Enforcement (fines and penalties) and Commercial payments are to be made only at designated BSES offices”, said Mr Gopal Saxena, CEO, BRPL.

The Case

Masquerading as BSES Enforcement officials, the gang of impostors (totaling 5) targeted an unsuspecting and gullible family in Sarvapriya Vihar last week – telling them that as per their information their meter was suspected of being tampered and had to be checked. After checking, they declared the meter to be tampered. Being a serious offence, they told the family, case would invite a penalty of Rs 10 lakhs and legal action. After suitably scaring the family, they offered to drop and ‘settle’ the case for Rs 1 lakh – or equivalent to the amount, which they said, they would have earned as their ‘incentive’.

The family paid Rs 70,000 as the first installment and promised to pay the balance Rs 30,000 in a day or two. Having a nagging feeling of being duped, the customer reported the case to BSES. Together with customer’s help, BSES Vigilance officials laid a trap to catch the impostors red-handed. Playing ball, the customer paid Pritam Rs 10,000 on the appointed day. That very minute, the waiting BSES officials apprehended him. On questioning, he confessed to his crime and even offered to return the money. Subsequently, the customer called the Police and lodged the complaint. He was taken to the Malviya Nagar Police Station. A hunt is on to nab the rest of the gang members.

According to a BRPL spokesperson, “In the last 5 years, BSES has been leading a crackdown on impostors masquerading as BSES officials. With help of alert customers, nearly 80 impostors (BRPL 41, BYPL 36) have been apprehended and handed over to the Police.

According to a BRPL official, “Customers are further advised to ascertain and verify the antecedents 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,

“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 official.

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