Congress leader duped of Rs 10 lakh in impersonation scam
A Congress leader from Kurukshetra, Haryana, was defrauded of Rs 10 lakh by a caller who claimed to be the secretary of party leader Rahul Gandhi. The incident, reported on June 28, 2026, highlights the growing threat of impersonation scams targeting political figures.
How the fraud unfolded
The victim, a local Congress functionary, received a phone call from an individual identifying themselves as Rahul Gandhi's secretary. The caller stated that a training programme for the Uttarakhand Congress unit was scheduled to be held in Chandigarh and requested financial assistance for the event. Believing the caller's credentials, the leader transferred Rs 10 lakh to an account provided by the fraudster.
According to police sources, the scammer used a spoofed number and detailed knowledge of party activities to appear legitimate. The victim only realized the deception after attempting to confirm the details with the Congress party office and finding no such programme existed.
Impact and police response
The fraud has caused significant financial loss and embarrassment for the local Congress leader, who requested anonymity. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities tracking the money trail and call records.
This incident is part of a broader trend of cybercriminals targeting politicians and party workers. In recent months, similar scams have been reported in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, where fraudsters impersonate senior leaders to solicit funds.
Precautionary measures urged
Police have advised political workers to verify any financial requests through official channels before making payments. The Congress party has also issued a statement condemning the fraud and warning members to be vigilant against such schemes. Rahul Gandhi's office clarified that they never solicit funds via phone calls or messages.
