Assam Police have detained around 330 alleged fraudsters, impersonators, extortionists and middlemen in a major crackdown carried out across the state, officials said. The operation began around 3 am on Saturday and was still underway when Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh addressed the media at the police headquarters in Guwahati.
According to the police, intelligence had been gathered on individuals allegedly involved in cheating people, impersonating police officers or government officials and demanding money by threatening victims. Investigators also found allegations involving people who approached individuals facing police cases and offered to settle the matters in exchange for money.
Police teams used technical inputs, including information linked to mobile phones and digital communication platforms, to trace several of the suspects during the operation.
The DGP said investigators had also found indications of organised groups operating in different parts of the state. Among those detained were individuals who allegedly posed as lawyers, while others reportedly claimed to be police officers or government officials. Police said some suspects allegedly used the names of government departments and officials to gain people's confidence and extract money.
Authorities are also examining allegations of extortion and attempts to prevent people from approaching police stations by promising to settle cases on their behalf.
Singh clarified that the people detained during the crackdown would not be treated as a single group. Each individual, he said, would be dealt with on the basis of the specific allegations and evidence available in the respective case.
The crackdown continued across districts, with police teams carrying out verification and further legal procedures. Officials said a detailed district-wise count of those detained is expected after the operation is completed.
