Press Release
Jago
Grahak Jago! Stay on guard against impostors
Alert
customers helps BSES nab Impostors
- In two separate cases,
alert customers helped BSES nab three ‘big time’ impostors
- In both the cases,
impostors masquerading as BSES officials approached the customers,
ostensibly to check their meter, which were allegedly found ‘tampered’
- In both the cases,
masquerading officials tried to scare the customers with hefty penalties
and later tried to strike a bargain by ‘settling’ their cases
- Alert customers informed
BSES officials and helped them to apprehend the impostors red handed
- All the three impostors
have been handed over to the Police
- So far, BSES has caught
around 70 impostors
BSES Advisory
- Customers are advised to ascertain the
identity of ‘visitors’ posing as
BSES officials
- Customers should inform the nearest
BSES office, call 39999707 / 39999808
or inform the Police -
should they notice anything suspicious
- Customers should make payments only at
designated BSES offices
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 in two separate cases – one each from Dwarka and Badarpur –
help from vigilant customers enabled BSES’ Vigilance Department nab three
conmen.
Dwarka Case – One conmen nabbed
Krishan Kumar, a resident of Dwarka was
visited by one Goyal, masquerading as a BSES official, ostensibly to check his
electricity meter. On checking the meter, the ‘official’ supposedly found the
meter ‘tampered’ and to make it look authentic, pasted a ‘notice’ on it.
A day later, Goyal again approached the
customer and tried to scare him by informing that since his meter has been found
tampered, he will be liable to pay a penalty of over Rs 2 lakh. Simultaneously,
he also offered to ‘settle and close’ the case, for Rs 20,000. The following day, Goyal sent one Shiv Kumar
to collect the money. Finding something amiss, the customer somehow detained
Shiv on some pretext and immediately
called BSES’ helpline. Within minutes, a BSES’
Flying Squad reached the customers residence and nabbed Shiv Kumar. He has been
handed over to the Police along with a written complaint from the customer.
During his interrogation, Shiv revealed that
he and Goyal were impostors and had nothing to do with BSES. He also revealed
that in the recent past, the duo had been quite active and had swindled three
residents – two from Dwarka and one from Janakpuri. Meanwhile, a hunt is on to
nab his absconding accomplice.
Badarpur
case – Two conmen nabbed
In another case involving impostors, Dr Qumrul
Hoda – a resident of Badarpur’s Jaitpur area was visited by two ‘officials’
claiming to be from BSES’ Enforcement department. In this case too, the
masquerading officials checked the customers meter and expectantly found it to
be ‘tampered’. In this case, the
‘officials’ were a bit more brazen in their approach and threatened the
customer with a penalty bill of Rs 2.5 lakh, unless he agreed to ‘settle’ the
case in cash.
The customer, becoming suspicious of the
‘mannerisms’ of the alleged BSES officials bought some time to think. They
agreed to meet the very next day near Agarwal Sweets in Kalkaji to carry out
the negotiated ‘transaction’. Meanwhile,
the customer called BSES’ helpline and narrated the entire episode. He was
advised by BSES officials to play along for the moment and meet the
masquerading officials as planned. A BSES’ Vigilance Team reached the venue before
the scheduled time and waited – succeeding to nab the conmen red handed. The
duo – Gopal and Manish Kumar – were apprehended and handed over to the
Govindpuri Police post along with a written complain from the customer.
“BSES has been working overtime to catch
the impostors. So far BSES has caught around 70 impostors”, said a BSES
official.
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.
BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution
company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to
all its consumers.
For further information please contact:
|
Prashant Dua |
Chandra P Kamat |
|
Corporate
Communications |
Corporate Communications |
|
39999870 /
9312007822 |
39999642/9350130304 |