National Times Bureau :- A fraudulent scheme targeting residents of Gurdaspur and Pathankot has come to light after scammers created a fake Facebook account impersonating Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal. The impersonators used the profile—named “Aditya Uppal IAS” with the DC’s photograph—to send misleading messages and attempt financial fraud.
According to the complaint, several individuals received messages claiming that a “friend named Santosh Kumar,” described as a CRPF officer, would contact them to sell household furniture and electronic items at “very reasonable” prices. Shortly after, people received WhatsApp calls from the number 9784383463, with the caller claiming imminent transfer and offering goods worth ₹95,000 at discounted prices, promising free delivery through a CRPF truck.
Images of beds, ACs, refrigerators, inverters, washing machines, sofas, and dining tables were shared to convince victims. When some people refused, they were pushed to buy the items for ₹70,000, citing urgent travel. The scam came to light when cautious recipients contacted DC Uppal directly and learned that the messages were fake.
The scammer’s WhatsApp display picture featured former President Ram Nath Kovind awarding an officer—an attempt to appear credible.
DC Uppal immediately alerted SSPs of Gurdaspur and Pathankot, recommending an FIR. Facebook blocked the fake account after police intervention. Gurdaspur Police have now registered a case and begun investigation to trace the fraudsters.
