ISLAMABAD: Criminal(s) in police uniform looted two online cab drivers in the last two days, police said.

Both the incidents took place in the same manner and same area, police said. Separate cases were registered at Aabpara police station under different charges.

In the first incident, a man booked a ride of online cab service and in response the cab driver picked the passenger from G-7/4, the police said, adding that the man, carrying a wireless set and a handcuffs, introduced himself as an official of CIA and asked the driver to move G-7/2 from where he has to pick the uniform of his senior officer, form the officer’s house and later drop him at Karachi Company.

After reaching G-7/2 the man disembarked from the vehicle and snatched driver’s mobile phone and a purse, carrying Rs15,000 cash, CNIC, vehicle’s registration card and escaped, they said, adding that over the incident a case was registered under section 382 (Theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the theft) of PPC.

In a similar incident, a man booked a ride of online cab service and in response the cab driver picked up the passenger from Rehmanabad stop Rawalpindi, they said, adding that the passenger, carrying wireless and handcuff told the driver to move G-7/2, from where he has to pick the uniform of his senior officer, form the officer’s house and later drop him at New Town police station.

The passenger agreed to pay him Rs1,100 as fare, the police said adding that after reaching G-7/2 the passenger disembarked from the car and snatched Rs253,000 worth iPhone 12 Pro Max and purse, carrying cash Rs17,000, CNIC, and driving licence and escaped.

A case was registered under Section 382, 170 (Personating a public servant) and 171 (Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent) of PPC According the drivers, the accused were in mid-20s , they added.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2024