Delhi Police made a significant breakthrough by apprehending a habitual impersonator who pretended to be an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and defrauded multiple individuals of Rs 60 lakh. The accused, identified as Pawan Kumar Pandey @ Varun Kumar Pandey, aged 43, from Gandhi Vihar, Delhi, was caught by a team from PP Sidhipura, PS DBG Road, as per an official press release from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District).
The police revealed that the accused, posing as an Additional District Magistrate, exploited trust to deceive victims, presenting himself as a high-ranking government official with connections to top authorities. The case stemmed from a complaint lodged on 23.03.2026 at PP Sidhipura, where the accused, claiming to be “Varun Kumar Pandey, ADM, Uttar Pradesh,” allegedly misled victims with false promises of government jobs and Noida land allotments under official schemes.
A press note disclosed that the fraud involved approximately ₹60 lakh under the guise of government job placements and land allocations. Subsequently, FIR No. 206/2026 was filed based on the complaint, citing relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 316(2), 319(2), 204, and 61(2). The investigation uncovered multiple forged identity cards, visiting cards, and documents, along with a digital trail comprising WhatsApp chats, audio recordings, screenshots, and e-Sakshya video evidence.
Authorities established a financial trail through bank accounts and UPI transactions, confirming the receipt of substantial amounts from victims via intermediaries. The police also traced assets bought with illicit funds, such as a Swift car and a scooty. Verification revealed that the accused had impersonated a real PCS officer and misused the identity and designation of Varun Kumar Pandey, PCS (2015 batch), former ADM Jhansi.
The accused confessed during interrogation to assuming the role of an ADM for years, utilizing counterfeit documents to deceive and exploit victims. Claiming connections with senior government officials, he employed intermediaries to collect money. Additionally, the accused is connected to a prior FIR from 2019 at PS Sahibabad under multiple IPC Sections. Investigations are ongoing to probe the involvement of other associates, identify more victims, scrutinize additional financial transactions, and uncover potential broader networks implicated in the scam.
The operation, overseen by senior police officials of the Central District, involved sustained technical surveillance and coordinated digital analysis that culminated in the arrest. Further inquiries are in progress to locate additional victims and ascertain the full scope of the fraudulent activities.
