Pune: A 28-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly posing as an officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

According to the police, the suspect had called the restaurant owner of the city and faked his identity as an officer from the FSSAI. The suspect then told the complainant that he had received a complaint about food poisoning caused to a girl customer who had consumed food at their hotel. The suspect had threatened the owner with further legal action and demanded money to not go ahead with the case. The suspect then took Rs 4.73 lakh from the owner from time to time.

When the complainant realised that he has been duped, he filed complaint with the Cantonment police station. Mobile location details and technical investigations into the case traced the suspect at Solapur.

The police raided the trap and arrested the suspect Rahul Kiran Sarate (Mumbai). Meanwhile, the police have recovered a mobile phone, along with four SIM cards, LCD TV and cash worth Rs 40,000.

Police Inspector Ashok Kadam said, "I appeal to all the dealers and suppliers of hotels, restaurants, bakery, sweet shops to contact police immediately if such cases persist. Do not believe in any calls pretending as food officers."

The investigation was led by Sagar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police. Senior Police Inspector Ashok Kadam is investigating the case further.