Former Army clerk held in Ratanada; Army Intelligence assisted in probe
Jodhpur police on Monday arrested a man accused of impersonating an Army intelligence officer and duping serving personnel and civilians by promising subsidised loans, officials said. The accused has been identified as Sagar Guleria, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab, who according to police records had been away from his place of posting since August 25, 2024.
Authorities said the arrest came after the office of Army Intelligence alerted the police that a person had been roaming the army area in Ratanada while presenting himself as a captain of Army Intelligence and seeking targets to defraud. A special team was formed and the suspect was detained from a restaurant in the area.
“A special team apprehended the accused from Ratanada area. During interrogation, he identified himself as a Captain,” ADCP (East) Narendra Singh Deora said, according to reports.
Police said the man was earlier employed as a clerk with the Army and had been posted to the 50th Light Air Defence Regiment. Army verification found that an ID card carried by the accused, purporting to belong to the Southern Command Intelligence Battalion, was fake. Officials added that the accused had once been caught by Haryana police in a similar case but had absconded after securing bail.
Allegations of loan and cyber fraud affecting multiple states
Investigating officers said the accused posed in uniform to influence victims and lure them with promises of arranging loans through the Army Group Insurance Fund. Complaints indicate both serving jawans and civilians — including women — were targeted. Police gave the following details:
- Seven formal cheating complaints have been registered against the accused.
- Eight online cyber-crime complaints have been reported in several states.
- Complaints originate from Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal, according to officials.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Sagar Guleria (resident of Jalandhar) |
| Previous posting | 50th Light Air Defence Regiment; posted at Panagarh cantonment |
| Absconding from posting | Since 25 August 2024 (reported) |
| Registered complaints | 7 cheating; 8 online/cyber complaints |
| States with complaints | Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, J&K, West Bengal |
During interrogation, police found material on the accused’s mobile phone that they described as incriminating and related to several women; details are being examined by investigators. The ADCP said Army Intelligence personnel were present during questioning and the matter of whether the accused had engaged in any anti‑national activity is under inquiry.
Local impact and ongoing probe
Ratanada houses residential and service areas frequented by defence personnel; the arrest has prompted officials to caution troops and their families about impersonation and loan‑related frauds. Police have not released figures for monetary loss but told reporters that the total amount involved in the frauds is believed to run into crores, based on victim statements.
Authorities have emphasised that the accused habitually wore a uniform while seeking victims and would allegedly block victims’ accounts after taking money or information. Law-enforcement agencies in multiple states where complaints were registered are coordinating with Jodhpur police to collate evidence and examine digital records.
The accused remains in custody while further legal and forensic procedures continue. Police said the probe will determine the full extent of the network, possible accomplices and the total monetary loss to victims.
Local commanders and civilian leaders in Jodhpur urged vigilance and recommended that anyone offered loans through unofficial channels or contacted by persons claiming military authority verify records with unit administration or Army Intelligence before parting with funds or personal information.
