Conman, Posing as an Official from the Prime Minister’s Office, is Accused by the Investigative Agency

Patel was also given security.

Srinagar:

The Enforcement Directorate Srinagar Regional Office has filed a Complaint of Prosecution against fraudster Kiran Patel, who took advantage of the security of the Jammu and Kashmir administration by posing as an official of the Prime Minister’s Office and also duped several Gujarat-based businessmen by promising opportunities in Kashmir. Valley released an official statement on Saturday.

The complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was filed in the special PMLA court in Srinagar on October 28, and the court issued notice to Patel, a resident of Ahmedabad, to appear before it on November 27.

The ED started its investigation based on the FIR registered by Nishat Police Station in Srinagar against Patel and others for offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The financial investigation agency’s investigation revealed that Patel attempted to portray himself as Additional Director, Strategy and Campaigns, PMO and fraudulently created/printed fake business cards to impersonate his identity to fulfill his ulterior motives of duping people and generating proceeds of crime.

“By using the said fake business cards and impersonation, he not only illegally gained the security of the UT administration of the J&K government, resulting in loss of resources and loss of money in the state exchequer, but also duped the gullible Gujarat. The statement said that the businessmen from Kashmir Valley It was stated that he obtained/secured unfair advantages by making false promises to provide job opportunities in .

The ED conducted search operations under the PMLA on May 19, 2023, at various premises linked to Patel and others, resulting in the seizure of incriminating documents/records and electronic devices.

It was stated that further investigations are continuing.

Patel was granted bail by a Srinagar court on August 29, 2023, on a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh along with 2 sureties.

J&K Police had arrested him on March 3, 2023, for allegedly impersonating a PMO officer.

During his visits to Jammu and Kashmir, Patel enjoyed facilities normally provided to PMO officials, including a bullet-proof car, security personnel and official accommodation in a five-star hotel, officials said.

The fraudster, who is facing more than half a dozen cheating cases in Gujarat, was arrested in the state in August 2023 on charges of duping a Morbi-based businessman of Rs 48 lakh.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is syndicated.)