Nagaland police files 2 cases for fraud

Kohima, May 1 (EMN): The Nagaland Police has filed cases against two persons in connection with Covid-19-related offences under IPC, IT Act and Disaster Management Act based on complaints that were received from the state’s School Education authorities.

Source from Nagaland Police confirmed the same to Eastern Mirror on Friday.

A press release issued by the police stated that one “Mr. Mero” was charged with falsely accusing the Nagaland government of debiting INR 4500 from his account. It was found that he had tried to draw the fund from Mahipalpur in Delhi but due to technical issues with the ATM the money could not be drawn but later showed debited, the police stated.

The individual has already availed assistance of INR 4000 from the government’s relief website iamstranded.com but tried to secure funds for the second time, the police stated.

In the second police case, an anonymous person used ‘obscene words’ and fictitious particulars to avail the funds being given by the government, the police stated.   

The second person is said to have accessed the website from Chennai in Tamil Nadu through a Jio-allotted IP address.

The Nagaland police have appealed to the people to desist from posting fake information and unverified news, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when unverified information may spread alarm.

The authorities will act against offenders through the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Act, the Nagaland Police stated.     

While speaking to Eastern Mirror, the police source asked the public "not to misuse social media" but rather "use it responsibly". It stated that the government is trying its best during this time of crisis to reach out to as many people as possible in the shortest possible time to assist them.

The source said that, with the advancement of technology, social media has become a boon for accessing and sharing of information, but at the same time maintained that there are people who think that law enforcing agencies can’t trace them.

"Creating mischief on social media and thinking that behind the screen, the law enforcing agency will not reach them; I think they have mistaken because we have our own means and ways to reach out to those people (creating mischief)", the source said.

When asked if the accused have been arrested, the source informed that that since both the offenders are in Chennai and Delhi, and due to the lockdown, the police are unable to take action. However, they have asked to report to the cyber police station when the lockdown if lifted.

It was also informed that Nagaland Police has alerted NAP deployed in Delhi about the case involving a person residing in the capital city, while the person staying in Chennai has been summoned through WhatsApp.