Assam Official Arrested in Multi-Crore Scam Involving Sophisticated Mimicry Racket

Guwahati: In a bizarre and high-stakes case of bureaucratic corruption, a senior Assam government official has been taken into custody for allegedly orchestrating an elaborate impersonation scheme. The accused, identified as Debeswar Sharma, reportedly used professional mimicry artists to impersonate the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary, convincing unsuspecting victims that he held significant sway over the highest corridors of power.

The operation was dismantled following an investigation by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell. The probe was triggered by a complaint filed on May 30 by a local businessman who alleged that he had been defrauded of Rs 10 lakh under the false promise of securing a lucrative government contract.

The Modus Operandi: Staged Calls and Digital Deception

According to investigators, Sharma’s scheme relied on a theatrical display of influence. During meetings with potential targets, the official would place phone calls to what he claimed were senior government functionaries. On the other end of the line, hidden mimicry artists would imitate the voices of the Chief Minister or other high-ranking bureaucrats, assuring the victims that their requests would be prioritized.

“The victims were genuinely convinced. They believed he was in direct contact with the top brass of the state government,” said Rosy Kalita, a senior officer at the Vigilance Cell.

The scope of the fraud appears to be massive. Investigators revealed that the accused had demanded an additional Rs 40 lakh from the original complainant, leading to suspicion and the eventual filing of the police complaint. Further digging into the financial trail uncovered that other firms, specifically KK Enterprise and DB Enterprise, had allegedly been swindled out of approximately Rs 2.5 crore using similar tactics.

Digital Footprints and Ongoing Investigation

The Vigilance Cell recovered 18 SIM cards during the investigation, only one of which was officially registered to Sharma. Authorities believe these cards were procured from third parties to maintain anonymity and circumvent standard security protocols.

“We have recovered several incriminating documents, but I cannot divulge further details as the investigation is currently at a critical stage,” Kalita stated. She emphasized the gravity of the offense, noting that impersonating a Chief Minister is a serious criminal act that goes beyond simple financial fraud.

Growing Network and Legal Action

Following his arrest in Dhemaji, Sharma was produced before a Chief Judicial Magistrate and subsequently placed under a four-day police remand. Simultaneous raids were conducted at his residences and office in Dhemaji and Guwahati, yielding a substantial cache of evidence that is currently being scrutinized by financial experts and chartered accountants.

The Vigilance Cell has indicated that the total amount involved in the scam is likely to reach well into the multi-crore range. As the investigation widens, authorities have also received reports of similar complaints originating from outside Assam, suggesting that the racket may have had a broader reach. The Special Vigilance Cell is now focusing on mapping the financial trail and identifying other potential accomplices involved in this sophisticated operation.

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