Sanjay had no criminal record but had worked in multiple private firms across Delhi, said officersA 50-year-old man’s plan to make quick money by impersonating a notorious gangster and threatening a Delhi-based businessman to extort Rs 1 crore was foiled with his arrest on Saturday, said police. He was allegedly helped by an associate of the businessman to execute his plan.Identified as Sanjay from Sonipat in Haryana, the accused was allegedly trying to pose as gangster Naveen Bali. He was arrested after a handwritten note bearing the businessman’s mobile number was found tucked in his pocket, said police.“During the investigation, it was observed that the accused used a distinct Haryanvi accent. With the help of technical surveillance and manual inputs, a suspect named Sanjay, a native of Rampur Kundal village in Sonipat was zeroed in. A trap was laid, and in a swift and well-coordinated operation, the joint team successfully apprehended the accused…During his cursory search, a handwritten slip containing the mobile number of the businessman was recovered from his possession,” said DCP North West Bhisham Singh.Shaken after he received threats, the businessman had approached the Adarsh Nagar police station on July 24. He claimed that he had received a phone call from an unknown number on July 3. The caller claimed to be gangster Naveen Bali and demanded that he pay Rs 1 crore in four days or face serious consequences. The businessman initially brushed it off as a prank. On July 20, however, he was again threatened. Realising that this was no joke, the man then turned to the police.Sanjay had no criminal record but had worked in multiple private firms across Delhi, said officers. Allegedly dissatisfied with his earnings and influenced by crime reports about extortion cases, involving gangsters, he decided to try his hand at extortion. He roped in a business associate of the complainant, who allegedly provided information to make the threats more credible.“Before he could cause any actual harm, the alert police team successfully foiled his plan and apprehended him. The accused has admitted to making extortion calls, including one to the businessman. Further investigation is in progress to identify any associates or past similar offenses,” said DCP Singh.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd