Fake Priyanka Gandhi Aide Fraud: Man Posing as MP's Private Secretary Promises Minister Post for ₹3 Crore, Kerala Police Launch Probe
A major impersonation and fraud case has surfaced in Kerala after an unidentified man allegedly posed as the private secretary of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and attempted to cheat elected representatives by promising political favours in exchange for money. Police have registered separate cases in Wayanad and Kozhikode and launched an investigation to trace the accused.
According to investigators, the fraudster introduced himself as DS Rajkumar, the private secretary to Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and contacted several Congress leaders, including Elathur MLA K. Vidya Balakrishnan, MP Shafi Parambil and MP Dean Kuriakose. The caller allegedly used Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's name to gain credibility before seeking large sums of money.
The case came to light after MLA K. Vidya Balakrishnan informed police that she had received a WhatsApp call from a man claiming to represent Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's office in New Delhi. During the conversation, the caller allegedly claimed that a Cabinet reshuffle could take place in Kerala and said he could help her become a minister if she paid ₹3 crore. He also claimed that another MP had recommended her name.
The suspicious offer prompted the MLA to verify the claim. After speaking with the MP whose name had been mentioned, she learned that someone claiming to be from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) had earlier sought the contact details of her and another legislator. She later contacted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's office directly, where officials confirmed that no such call had been made and that the individual had falsely used the identity of the MP's private secretary.
Following the incident, DS Rajkumar lodged an official complaint with the Kerala State Police Chief and the Wayanad Superintendent of Police, stating that an unknown person had been impersonating him and misusing both his identity and the office of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to cheat public representatives.
Based on the complaints, Kerala Police registered cases under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Officials said preliminary technical analysis indicates that the WhatsApp call originated from New Delhi.
Investigators have identified a suspect through the mobile number used during the calls. However, they are verifying whether the SIM card was obtained using forged identity documents. A police team is expected to travel to New Delhi as part of the investigation to gather further evidence and identify everyone involved in the alleged fraud.
Police said the investigation is continuing and are examining whether any other elected representatives or political leaders may have received similar calls from the impersonator. The case has raised concerns over the misuse of identities of senior political leaders and their offices to carry out financial fraud targeting public representatives.
