Jalgaon (Maharashtra): In a startling case involving artificial intelligence and political impersonation, a local office-bearer of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Jalgaon has been identified as the prime accused in an attempted Rs 3.6 crore fraud. The accused, 29-year-old Amit Solunke, allegedly used forged documents and AI-generated voice mimicry to impersonate BJP MLC Prasad Lad in a bid to divert development funds.
The incident came to light on July 2, when MLC Lad filed a complaint at the Sion police station, alleging that someone had forged his signature, misused his official letterhead and even replicated his voice using AI to fraudulently initiate a fund transfer from Ratnagiri, his nodal district in Konkan, to Beed in Marathwada.
“This was a serious offence involving the misuse of my identity and technology. The mastermind must be booked. After my complaint, similar cases have surfaced. The government needs to use tech tools to prevent such frauds,” Lad stated, as quoted by Hindustan Times. The Maharashtra Legislative Council chairman also took note of the case and urged a thorough investigation by the state government.
Police initially booked Solunke and three others, Prashant Lande, Nilesh Waghmode and Sachin Bankar, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including cheating, impersonation and forgery.
However, investigations later revealed that the three co-accused were actually duped by Solunke. They had approached him seeking funds for development works in Beed. Solunke promised to facilitate the transfer from Lad’s fund in exchange for a 10 per cent cut, Rs 36 lakh.
Details On Solunke's Modus Operandi
According to officials, Solunke allegedly contacted government officials pretending to be Lad, submitted forged documents, and used AI-generated audio to sound convincing. Fortunately, discrepancies in documentation raised red flags before the funds could be released, prompting authorities to act.
After the scam surfaced, Solunke went underground but recently reappeared seeking anticipatory bail. On Monday, a Mumbai sessions court granted the bail, observing that no actual fund transfer took place and that the offences carry a punishment of less than seven years. The case, therefore, is triable by a magistrate.
Additional Sessions Judge Dr Gauri Kawdikar directed Solunke to cooperate with the investigation and regularly report to the police, according to the report. Police have confirmed that Solunke is affiliated with the BJP Yuva Morcha in Jalgaon.
