Surat police have arrested Pradeep Patel for allegedly defrauding individuals of lakhs by posing as an IPS officer. The fraud came to light after Sameer Salim Jamadar from Sangli, Maharashtra, filed a complaint at Kamrej Police Station.
Jamadar was introduced to Patel through a friend and was convinced to invest in a hotel partnership with promises of high returns. Over time, he handed over Rs23 lakh in multiple installments. However, when Jamadar requested the hotel agreement, Patel became evasive. After some time, Patel returned Rs12 lakh but failed to refund the remaining Rs11 lakh, prompting Jamadar to seek police assistance.
Upon Patel’s arrest, authorities discovered photos of him in an IPS uniform, along with police trousers. Within 24 hours, another victim, Kaushik Gajera from Kamrej, came forward, alleging that Patel had cheated him of Rs20 lakh by offering shares in a hotel at Saputara.
Surat District DSP RR Sarvaiya has urged any additional victims to report to their nearest police station as investigations continue. Patel has been remanded for five days as the case unfolds.