Police advisory

SHILLONG, APR 8: State police today issued advisory urging the public not to fall into the trap of fraudsters who have duped several persons in the name of striking a direct land deal for setting up mobile towers.

“The public are requested not to fall into the trap of such fraudsters who have cheated several persons,” Superintendent of Police (City) Vivek Syiem said in a statement issued on Saturday.

He informed that the matter has come to the notice of the district police that some unscrupulous persons are calling public randomly over mobile phone claiming to be functionaries/employees of Reliance Communication or other service providers.

The fraudsters claim that after conducting a survey they have got the contact number of the person being called, and want to directly deal with the land owners themselves for setting up mobile towers and not with any third party.

They first ask the called person whether he/she has any land available for setting up of mobile tower, if so, copy of land documents, address details for satellite verification and other documents like PAN Card and address proof, are asked.

A payment of Rs 20,000 to Rs 1,00,000 is initially asked as security deposit but continues with the demand for several other payments, to clinch the contract .

They stop communication once they feel the victim cannot pay anymore. The callers are using Kolkata based SIM cards, he said.

The SP said that all steps are being taken by the district police to nab the culprits.