Fraudster Arrested by Ghaziabad Police for Posing as Long-Lost Son to Scam Families
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Ghaziabad, Dec 6 (NationPress) The Ghaziabad Police have detained a man known as Raju, who masqueraded as the long-lost son of various families to engage in theft and deception. His elaborate narrative of being kidnapped during childhood facilitated his ability to mislead families with missing children, causing them emotional and financial exploitation.
On November 24, Raju appeared at the Khoda police station in Ghaziabad, asserting that he was kidnapped 30 years ago at the tender age of 8. According to his concocted tale, he was taken to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, where he served as a shepherd for a family before escaping and hitching a ride to Delhi in a truck, as reported by the police.
In an effort to reunite him with his family, the police shared his story in local newspapers, which led to a family recognizing him as their long-lost son and welcoming him back with open arms. However, this was merely the start of the revelations surrounding Raju's past.
The police stated, “Shortly after Raju's homecoming, his family observed notable changes in his behavior and mood, which raised red flags. They reached out to us. Based on these concerns, we detained Raju for further questioning.”
As Raju's story gained attention through newspapers and television, a family from Dehradun contacted the police, asserting that Raju was indeed their long-lost son.
They disclosed that Raju had lived with them in Dehradun for four months prior to his sudden disappearance.
With conflicting claims emerging, the police ramped up their investigation to uncover the reality.
Upon interrogation, Raju admitted to a history of deceit. His true identity was uncovered as Indra Raj, a notorious criminal from Rajasthan with an extensive record of theft and fraud.
The police revealed that Indra Raj had been disowned by his own family in 2005 due to his persistent thefts. Since then, he developed a method of operation—targeting families with missing children, gaining their trust by fabricating an abduction story, and stealing their valuables before vanishing.
In Dehradun, he resided with an elderly woman, Asha Sharma Jogi, for four months while pretending to be her son Monu Sharma. In Sikar, Rajasthan (2023), he stayed with a family for two months before disappearing without a trace. In Hanumangarh, Rajasthan (2021), he stole from relatives, resulting in a police case and a brief incarceration.
The police suspect he has perpetrated similar crimes in Punjab, Hisar, Sirsa, Jaisalmer, and other areas as well.
During questioning, Indra Raj recounted a troubled upbringing. Following the loss of his mother, he experienced abuse from his stepmother, which propelled him into a life of crime.
His arrest sheds light on the emotional vulnerabilities he exploited in his victims, many of whom were eager to reconnect with their missing loved ones.
The Ghaziabad Police are assembling multiple teams to probe his past crimes and gather evidence from other states. Currently, Indra Raj remains in police custody, and authorities are striving to deliver justice for the families he deceived.
