Srinagar, Jan. 6 -- A man was arrested for allegedly duping an individual of Rs 5.40 lakh in Shopian district on the pretext of getting his brother released from police custody, officials said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Sajad Ahmad Bhat of Mundoora in Tral area of Pulwama district, managed to convince the complainant that he is a government employee and has sufficient influence to arrange the release of his brother, a police spokesman said.

"Police have arrested a conman for duping an individual by falsely promising to secure the release of his brother from police custody at Police Station Zainapora," he said.

According to the spokesman, Asif Ahmad Parrah, a resident of Zainapora, filed a complaint through WhatsApp that Bhat...