Pune police have arrested a woman who posed as a lawyer and allegedly cheated a senior citizen out of nearly Rs 6 lakh. The accused, identified as 38-year-old Priya Sharma (name changed for privacy), was apprehended following a detailed investigation into the victim’s complaint, bringing to light the urgent need for vigilance and awareness among the city’s elderly population.
According to police officials, the 72-year-old victim, a retired government employee residing in Pune’s Kothrud area, was approached by the accused earlier this year. Posing as an experienced lawyer, Sharma convinced the senior citizen that she could help resolve a longstanding property dispute. She presented forged legal documents, used legal jargon, and even claimed connections with influential legal professionals to gain the victim’s trust.
Over the course of several months, Sharma extracted multiple payments from the victim, citing various legal fees, documentation charges, and court expenses. The total amount paid by the victim amounted to nearly Rs 6 lakh. When the promised legal resolution failed to materialize and Sharma began avoiding contact, the victim grew suspicious and approached the local police.
Upon receiving the complaint, a special team from the Pune Crime Branch launched an investigation. Through surveillance, verification of documents, and statements from other potential victims, police uncovered that Sharma had no valid law degree or registration with the Bar Council. Further inquiries revealed that she had used similar tactics to approach other elderly individuals in the city.
Acting on gathered evidence, police arrested Sharma from her rented apartment in Pune. During interrogation, she confessed to the crime and admitted to targeting senior citizens due to their limited legal knowledge and vulnerability.
Sharma has been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, impersonation, and forgery. She is currently in judicial custody as the investigation continues to identify additional victims and recover the defrauded money.
Senior police officials have urged citizens, especially the elderly, to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to be legal professionals. “Always verify the credentials of any lawyer you engage. Ask for their Bar Council registration number and check with official sources if in doubt,” advised ACP Rajesh Patil.
Local senior citizen associations have welcomed the swift police action and called for increased awareness campaigns on legal fraud. Many are now organizing workshops and seminars to educate members about recognizing and reporting scams.