ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: Three imposters have been arrested after they hoodwinked a man in paying them Rs9 million for getting two posts of assistant superintendent of police (ASP).

Police have recovered forged letters with signatures and stamps of former IGP Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar, Superintendent of Police Headquarters, Lahore, Maher Tanveer Iqbal, Chairman Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Syed Sabahat Hussain, Secretary Establishment Mohammad Ismail Quershi and deputy manager recruitment Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) from them. Forged letters mention shortage of policemen in the Punjab police and need for hiring division clerks in OGDCL.

A case of impersonating public servants, cheating, dishonesty, and forgery along with other charges has been registered against the three imposters. Police also recovered three mobiles, two laptops, stamps of government departments, a mobile jammer, and Rs1.57 million from them.

Najaf Ali Shah, the victim, told Aabpara police that IA, who introduced himself as country head of Interpol and director of an intelligence agency, took Rs9 million for the two ASP posts. Shah was given two appointment letters, which had signatures of chairman PPSC and secretary Establishment Division. When the two went to join the police department, they were told that the appointment letters were forged.

Shah told police that one of his friends introduced him to IA at a hotel in Aabpara on August 9 last year. Claiming that he was a close friend of interior minister, IA also showed his “service cards” of Interpol and ISI.

IA was accompanied by CNM, who was introduced as assistant director in the Federal Investigation Agency, and KU, a senior officer of PIA. They also showed their official cards. During the meeting IA said he had worked as assistant director in FIA and ASP in police, showing his “appointment letters” too.

Shah demanded two appointments of ASP, for himself and his cousin Syed Shamasul Hasan, agreeing to pay Rs9 million. He paid Rs4million to IA in the same hotel on August 11. It was decided that the remaining Rs5 million would be paid after Shah and his cousin join the police.

On August 13, IA asked Shah to deposit Rs300,000 in the account of HR in MCB Bank, F-7. The money was deposited. On August 26, IA after giving Shah “appointment letters” demanded the remaining amount. But Shah paid Rs2 million.

On September 1 last year, IA took Shah to Heart International Hospital in Rawalpindi for medical checkup. Next day Shah was given letters, asking him and his cousin to join the police department on September 20 last year.

The remaining amount was paid to IA through cheque, which he withdrew on September 16. As the appointment and joining letters turned out to be forged, Shah contacted CNM, who assured him that the money would be returned.