NONGPOH, June 25: Village authorities of Pahamsyiem, Ri-Bhoi, on Wednesday apprehended a 26-year-old man while he was attempting to extort money from local shops using forged documents.
The accused, identified as Banker Syngkli from Umdihar village, was caught red-handed by village leaders as he moved from one shop to another, demanding money under suspicious pretences.
Upon interrogation, it was discovered that he had used fake documents, including receipts and letterheads of the Ri Bhoi People Movement (RBPM), to support his claims and dupe shopkeepers. Further inquiry led to the discovery of a forged letter addressed to the District Medical & Health Officer (DMHO), Ri-Bhoi, seeking financial aid for an alleged awareness programme on child marriage and drug abuse in Umrit village, Western Ri-Bhoi, dating back to 2023.
Authorities believe this letter was part of his fraudulent fundraising strategy.
During questioning by Pahamsyiem headman Jedwin Lyngdoh, assistant headman Wanphrang Sumer and other elders, Syngkli admitted to successfully collecting money from at least one shop.
He also confessed to breaking into the Presbyterian Church in Umdihar in May 2024 and stealing valuables, including cash.
Following their preliminary investigation, the Pahamsyiem village authorities informed the headman of Umdihar and handed over the accused for further legal action relating to both the extortion attempt and the church burglary case.
