Hyderabad, April 15, 2026 — A man from Andhra Pradesh was arrested at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad on Monday night after he was found impersonating a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer while taking photographs inside the airport premises. The incident, which police describe as part of a larger marriage fraud scheme, has highlighted vulnerabilities in matrimonial scams involving the impersonation of government officials.
The accused, identified as Balakrishna Samman (also referred to as Bala Krishna Saman in some reports), a resident of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, was apprehended by CISF personnel and the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) after suspicious activity was noticed. According to preliminary investigations, Balakrishna, who is already married and has a daughter, entered the airport dressed in a full CISF uniform and was observed clicking photographs near a washroom at the C-level. When questioned, he failed to produce any valid identification or credible details about his unit or credentials. Verification with CISF headquarters confirmed that he was not affiliated with the force in any capacity.
During interrogation, Balakrishna admitted that he had purchased the uniform specifically to create fabricated evidence for a prospective marriage. He was reportedly in a relationship with a divorcee whose family had insisted on a groom employed in a government job. He planned to send the photographs via WhatsApp as proof that he was undergoing training as a CISF officer, thereby gaining the family’s approval. Authorities noted that he deliberately selected Hyderabad as his operational base, believing that verification processes would be more time-consuming compared to his home state of Andhra Pradesh.
Further examination of his mobile phone revealed hundreds of chat conversations with women, indicating a systematic pattern of deception. Police sources state that Balakrishna had created fake profiles on matrimonial platforms, as well as on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram, where he portrayed himself as a CISF personnel or central government employee. He allegedly lured over 60 young women (with some reports citing up to 67 victims) into marriage proposals under false pretenses, exploiting their trust in his supposed stable government employment. Investigators believe the scam may have involved financial cheating in addition to emotional manipulation, though the full extent remains under probe.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport police have registered a case against Balakrishna under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions pertaining to impersonation of a public servant (Section 319(2)), cheating (Section 318(4)), and related offences (Sections 204 and 205). He has been taken into custody, and a designated officer has been assigned to lead the investigation. Efforts are underway to identify all potential victims and ascertain whether Balakrishna has any prior criminal record or connections to wider fraud networks.
ACP RGIA V. Sreekanth Goud, in comments to the media, emphasised the seriousness of the security breach at a high-security international airport. “CISF personnel noticed a man in uniform taking photos, which is unusual. When questioned, he failed to give proper details, and on verification, it was clear he was impersonating an officer,” he stated. Police have described the case as a classic example of how individuals exploit uniforms and digital platforms to perpetrate matrimonial fraud.
This arrest underscores the growing challenge posed by online marriage scams in India, where impersonation of uniformed personnel is frequently used to build credibility with victims and their families. Authorities have appealed to the public to verify the credentials of prospective grooms through official channels and to exercise caution when engaging on matrimonial websites. The investigation continues, with updates expected as more details emerge regarding the accused’s activities and the impact on affected women.
