The accused, Abi Prabha, allegedly impersonated a police officer after the man she wished to marry told her that his family would approve only someone working in the police force.
Published Nov 01, 2024 | 7:59 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 01, 2024 | 7:59 PM
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A woman was arrested in the Vadasery area of the Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, after allegedly defrauding a local beauty parlour by posing as an assistant police inspector.
The incident came to light when the parlour owner complained to the Vadasery police that a woman in a police uniform received a facial treatment and left without paying.
The accused, Abi Prabha, 34, is from Periyakulam Vadugapatti in Theni district. According to police records, she was previously married to a man named Murugan, 66, with whom she has a son. Their marriage ended after six years due to personal differences.
Following her separation, Abi Prabha worked as a supervisor in the saree department of a company in Thyagaraya Nagar or T Nagar, Chennai.
During her time there, she developed a friendship with a co-worker named Prithviraj. About three months ago, the two friends attended the wedding of a colleague in Thiruvananthapuram, where Abi Prabha met a man named Siva from Paramarthalingapuram Pallivilai.
After that encounter, Abi Prabha expressed a desire to marry Siva, who informed her that his parents would only approve of a marriage with someone working in the police force.
To create an illusion of legitimacy, she acquired a police uniform through her friend Prithviraj. Subsequently, she took several photographs and videos of herself in police attire across various locations in Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari.
On 28 October 2024, Abi Prabha visited a beauty parlour near Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil, where she posed as an assistant inspector attached to the Vadasery police station. She received facial treatment.
She returned to the parlour on 31 October, but during this visit, the owner became suspicious. He reported her to the local police, who launched an investigation.
Vadasery police acted quickly and arrested Abi Prabha. Her phone included videos and pictures of her in the police outfit, and it was seized by police officers.
She has been charged with impersonation and placed under judicial detention, pending the outcome of the investigation.
A Vadasery police officer confirmed to South First that Abi Prabha is currently in jail and is facing legal consequences for her actions.
She also said that the incident underscored the importance of vigilance among citizens and highlights the necessity of verifying claims of authority, particularly concerning individuals impersonating law enforcement personnel.
Local authorities are urging residents to report any suspicious behavior immediately to help prevent similar scams in the future.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas).
