MUKTSAR, July 27 — Amid heightened anxiety following the July 7 murder of Abohar-based businessman Sanjay Verma, police have arrested an unemployed youth for impersonating Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar to extort money. The accused, Jaspreet Singh, hailing from Lakkarwala village, allegedly threatened at least six people, including a teacher at his former school.
Muktsar district police said Jaspreet had no links to any criminal gang but exploited the fear created by recent gang-related violence to make extortion threats. “He confessed to making the fake calls out of financial desperation and unemployment,” said Malout DSP Iqbal Singh. “He used a mobile app to spoof international numbers and claimed to be Goldy Brar from Surrey, Canada.”
The case came to light after Parminder Singh, a computer teacher at Government High School, Lakkarwala — the same school the accused once attended — lodged a complaint on Wednesday. Parminder reported receiving a threatening message and multiple calls demanding Rs 5 lakh. The FIR was registered at Lakhewali police station, triggering a swift response.
“Our technical and cyber teams managed to trace and arrest him within 24 hours,” the DSP said, adding that the police are now investigating whether anyone else was involved.
Police believe that the recent killing of Sanjay Verma has created an atmosphere of fear that is now being misused by opportunists as well as actual criminals. “The murder rattled the region and led to a rise in extortion threats. But we will not tolerate such scare tactics,” DSP Singh added. “Arresting fraudsters like Jaspreet is a top priority.”
Officials have urged the public to remain alert and report suspicious calls immediately, as impersonation-based cybercrimes are becoming increasingly common in Punjab’s border districts.
