Pune Airport security personnel have apprehended a suspected serial fraudster who allegedly duped an arriving passenger of ₹11,000. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) intercepted the individual after noticing suspicious behavior and subsequently discovered he was carrying identity documents under three different names.
The Incident at Pune Airport
On Thursday, CISF personnel at the Pune Airport's Security Operations Control Centre (SOCC) and Crime and Intelligence Wing (CIW) observed a man approaching a passenger who had just arrived from Hyderabad on an IndiGo flight. The accused reportedly spun a sympathetic story, soliciting ₹20,000 in financial assistance.
Acting on humanitarian grounds, the passenger transferred ₹11,000 to a Google Pay account provided by the accused. However, the vigilance of the CISF team led to immediate intervention and verification.
Multiple Identities Uncovered
During questioning and document verification, CISF officers found significant discrepancies in the accused's identity. The Google Pay account used for the transaction was registered under the name Gujjaralapudi Bala Koteswara Rao. Yet, his Aadhaar card and driving license identified him as MV Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
Further investigation revealed a faculty identity card from Parul University bearing a third name: Alluru Shyam Prasad. The accused was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for these multiple identities or the third-party financial transaction, leading to his detention.
Link to Previous Fraud Confirmed
The CISF's Intelligence Wing had heightened surveillance following a similar fraud reported at Pune Airport on September 1, 2026, where a departing passenger was allegedly cheated of ₹18,600 using an identical modus operandi. By matching the apprehended suspect's activities with CCTV footage from the earlier incident, investigators confirmed he was the same perpetrator.
Under further questioning, the suspect admitted his involvement in the previous fraud, for which a Cyber Crime complaint had already been lodged.
Legal Action Initiated
Upon realizing he had been deceived, the passenger who transferred the ₹11,000 expressed his willingness to file a formal complaint. Following a preliminary investigation and the official complaint, the accused was handed over to the Vimantal Police Station in Pune for further legal action and a detailed investigation.
The CISF has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring passenger safety and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities within its jurisdiction at airports.