Without a job, man conned by fake cop worries about money

Abdul Aziz Latif, 30, who worked as a driver for a Sakinaka-based call centre, has been at home without a job ever since his car was stolen while he was on duty.

Abdul Aziz Latif, 30, who worked as a driver for a Sakinaka-based call centre, has been at home without a job ever since his car was stolen while he was on duty.

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The Hindustan Times reported on April 29 about how an unidentified person, claiming to be a traffic policeman, made away with the Tata Indica that Latif was driving. The car belonged to his brother-in-law.

Talking to the Hindustan Times, Latif said, “I am not an employee of the company and am paid according to the kilometres I drive while ferrying the company employees. Now, since I have lost the car, I have to sit at home till I can arrange for another four-wheeler. I am very stressed since I am the sole earning member of my family.”

Before starting work at the call centre over a year ago, Latif worked as an autorickshaw driver. “Things were finally looking good for me and my family,” he said.

Recollecting the incident, Latif said: “On April 27, I was near the Bhandup-Kanjurmarg stretch of the Eastern Express Highway when a man on a Hero Honda bike asked me to halt the vehicle. I obliged since he was dressed as a traffic policeman. He then asked me to step out of the car and show my driving licence and asked me why I was not wearing a seat belt.

“He entered the car pretending to check if I was carrying anything illegal. The man then asked me to move the bike that was parked in front of the car and then fled. I hung onto the car window for a few seconds, but let go since it was the highway and I would be run over if I fell in between. Within a few moments the car was out of sight.”

The Vikhroli police have made sketches of the accused based on Latif’s description. “No arrests have been made. Investigations are on and we hope to nab the accused soon,” said S Gaikwad, senior inspector.