Man Arrested for Allegedly Cheating Farmer by Posing as Karnataka Chief Minister Personal Assistant

A man accused of posing as the personal assistant of Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has been arrested for allegedly cheating a farmer out of Rs 15 lakh by promising to secure a recreation club licence. The arrest followed an investigation by Thunganagar Police in Shivamogga after the victim lodged a formal complaint, claiming he was deceived through false promises and fabricated political connections.

According to investigators, the accused identified himself as a close aide to the Chief Minister and assured the complainant that he could use his influence to obtain official approval for a recreation club licence. Believing the claims to be genuine, the victim reportedly transferred money through digital payment platforms and also handed over cash on different occasions. However, the promised licence never materialised, and the accused allegedly stopped responding after receiving the money.

The case has once again highlighted how fraudsters continue to misuse the names of senior political leaders and government officials to gain the trust of unsuspecting citizens. Police have urged the public to remain cautious and verify such claims before making any financial transactions, especially when individuals promise government approvals or licences in exchange for money.

The complaint was filed by Manjunath Hanji, a farmer residing in the KHB Colony area of Shivamogga. Based on his statement, Thunganagar Police registered a case against the accused, identified as Hemanth Kumar alias Ganesh, under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officers then launched an investigation to trace the suspect and gather evidence related to the alleged fraud.

Police said the accused convinced the complainant that he had direct access to the Chief Minister’s office and could expedite the process of obtaining the required licence. Using this claim, he allegedly persuaded the farmer to part with substantial amounts of money over multiple transactions. Authorities stated that part of the payment was made through PhonePe, while the remaining amount was handed over in cash during meetings held at Sai International Hotel in Shivamogga and in the Vaddinakoppa area.

Investigators believe the total amount collected by the accused reached approximately Rs 15 lakh. Once the money was received, the promised licence was never issued. Repeated attempts by the complainant to recover the amount or obtain updates reportedly failed, leading him to approach the police.

Following the registration of the case, officers carried out a search operation and succeeded in locating the accused. He was taken into custody and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Police officials said the investigation remains active and additional evidence is being collected to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.

Authorities are now trying to establish whether the accused used a similar method to deceive other individuals. Senior police officers suspect that the case may not be an isolated incident and are examining financial transactions, communication records and other materials that could reveal additional victims. They have appealed to anyone who may have been approached with similar claims to come forward and cooperate with the investigation.

According to police, impersonating public officials has become a common tactic in financial fraud cases. Fraudsters often exploit the reputation of influential personalities to create a false sense of credibility. Victims, believing they are dealing with someone who has genuine government connections, may agree to pay money in anticipation of receiving licences, jobs, contracts or other official approvals.

Officials stressed that no legitimate government process requires payments to private individuals claiming to represent ministers or senior officials. Any request for unofficial payments should be treated with suspicion, and citizens are encouraged to verify credentials through official government channels before proceeding with any transaction.

The investigation is also expected to examine whether forged identity documents, fake communication or fabricated references were used to strengthen the accused’s claims. Digital payment records and mobile phone data are likely to play a crucial role in establishing the sequence of events and identifying possible accomplices, if any.

Police have reiterated that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty of impersonating government representatives or using the names of political leaders for personal financial gain. They believe swift action in such cases is essential to prevent similar frauds and maintain public confidence in official institutions.

The case serves as a reminder that citizens should exercise caution when approached by individuals claiming political influence or promising to fast track government approvals in return for money. Verifying official identities and reporting suspicious approaches at an early stage can help prevent financial losses and assist law enforcement agencies in taking timely action.

As the investigation continues, police are expected to question the accused further and examine whether a wider network of fraudulent activities exists. Authorities have assured that every aspect of the complaint will be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate legal action will follow based on the evidence collected during the probe.