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 He has been charged with collecting money from people promising them job in the organisation

Mangaluru City Police on Saturday announced the arrest of an alleged conman from Jammu and Kashmir, who was posing as the director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and his accomplice on the charge of cheating people by promising jobs at the WHO.

Police Commissioner P.S. Harsha gave the name of the arrested as Shaukat Ahmed Lone, 30, a resident of Ganjipora village, Ganderbal district in Jammu and Kashmir, and Baljinder Singh, 48, from Mohali in Punjab. He said Lone cheated persons across India by promising jobs and collected money ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Besides, Lone also uploaded his profile on matrimonial sites claiming as WHO director and cheated several women. The police also suspect Lone’s involvement in activities against the national interest and are investigating thoroughly, Dr. Harsha said.
While the arrest was announced on Saturday, the duo was apprehended on August 17 by the Barke police who stopped a Punjab-registered car moving suspiciously in the city. The car had a nameplate which had ‘WHO director’ and ‘Government of India’ on it.

The Commissioner said initially Lone identified himself as ‘Dr. Basith Shah’, a resident of Mumbai, but on interrogation revealed his real identity. Baljit Singh, the driver of the vehicle, said he has been working for Lone for two years for a monthly salary of ₹20,000 besides expenditure for the vehicle’s maintenance. They travelled the length and breadth of the country in the same car.

There was a case of cheating registered in his home State, Dr. Harsha said. He also allegedly exploited many women with the promise of marrying them, the Commissioner said and sought inputs from those who might have been his victims.
Further probe

Dr. Harsha said police are conducting further investigation into the suspected activities of Lone. He had visited Hyderabad and Goa, which were sensitive and more information cannot be shared at present, the Commissioner said.

The Barke police have booked Lone under Sections 170, 171, 419, 420 and 34 of IPC and Section 34 of State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act.