Impersonation Arrest at Hyderabad Airport: Man Posing as CISF Officer in Matrimonial Scam
Hyderabad, April 15, 2026 — A resident of Andhra Pradesh was detained at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad on Monday night for posing as a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer and taking photographs within the airport premises. This incident, which authorities describe as part of a marriage fraud scheme, has highlighted security weaknesses in scams involving the impersonation of government officials.
The man, identified as Balakrishna Samman, also known in some reports as Bala Krishna Saman, hails from Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. He was caught by CISF personnel and the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) after engaging in suspicious behavior. Initial investigations revealed that Balakrishna, who is married and has a daughter, donned a CISF uniform and was seen taking pictures near a washroom at the C-level of the airport. When questioned, he was unable to provide valid identification or information about his unit or rank. Checks with CISF headquarters confirmed he was not affiliated with the force.
During questioning, Balakrishna confessed to purchasing the uniform to fabricate evidence for a potential marriage. He was involved with a divorcee whose family demanded she marry someone with a government job. Balakrishna intended to send photographs via WhatsApp to convince them he was undergoing CISF training, thus securing their approval. Authorities noted he chose Hyderabad as his base, thinking verification would take longer than in Andhra Pradesh.
Examination of his phone uncovered numerous chat conversations with women, indicating a methodical pattern of deceit. Police indicated that Balakrishna created fake profiles on matrimonial sites and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, posing as a CISF or central government employee. He allegedly duped over 60 young women (with some reports suggesting up to 67 victims) into marriage proposals under false pretenses, exploiting their trust in his purported stable government job. Investigators suspect the scam involved financial deceit as well as emotional manipulation, though the full extent is still under investigation.
At Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, police have filed a case against Balakrishna under pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including impersonation of a public servant (Section 319(2)), cheating (Section 318(4)), and related offenses (Sections 204 and 205). He is in custody, and an officer has been designated to lead the investigation. Efforts are ongoing to identify all possible victims and determine if Balakrishna has a previous criminal record or ties to broader fraud networks.
ACP RGIA V. Sreekanth Goud addressed the media, highlighting the severity of the security breach at the high-security international airport. “CISF personnel saw a man in uniform taking photos, which raised suspicions. Upon questioning, he couldn't provide proper information, and verification confirmed he was impersonating an officer,” he said. Police described the case as a clear example of how individuals misuse uniforms and digital platforms to commit matrimonial fraud.
This arrest highlights the increasing challenge posed by online marriage scams in India, where impersonating uniformed personnel often creates credibility with victims and their families. Authorities urge the public to verify the credentials of prospective grooms through official channels and to be cautious when using matrimonial websites. The investigation is ongoing, with more details expected to emerge about the accused’s activities and the impact on the women affected.
