Youngsters snag new identities for a steal

Caught breaking the rules? Pull out that “press card”. Want access to the traffic-free cantonment roads? Flash that “army card”. Hoping to snag a cool railway concession? Bring that student ID card out! Young escape artists in the city have a new identity to combat each situation, in this new Houdini-esque trend. They just flash a fake ID and pull a fast one on everyone from the cops to army guards. And getting a new identity is no expensive affair either. you can become anyone from a presswalah to an IIT student, for a small price!
Rahul L., a student of Bhavan’s Degree College, decided to get a fake army ID made when army officials put up a “No civilians allowed” board and blocked his short cut to college. “Taking the main road to college would double my distance and fuel consumption. That’s when I decided to get a fake army ID card. I got my classmate’s dependent card duplicated at a photocopying store with my photograph on it. It works miracles as it looks like the real deal,” says Rahul, quite proudly.
Words like “forgery” and “imposter” are far from the minds of these youngsters who get their cheap thrills in conning unsuspecting victims. Mahendra Singh, another “army imposter” who is a student of GNIT, has even gone ahead and pasted an “Army” bumper sticker on his car. “Every time I pass by, the sentries salute me. They must assume I’m the son of some lieutenant or colonel!”
And it’s not just the military area that youngsters want access to, but also fancy private parties where entry is “strictly by invite”. Minus a mass communication degree, mana youngsters become “journalists” with the mere flash of a laminated ID card that screams “press”. Varun, a student of Aurora Degree College, says, “I had a “Press” sticker on my car, but when I was caught breaking the signal, the traffic cop asked for my ID card. After paying a hefty fine, I decided to get a fake ID to go with it. I now get access to plays and events at star hotels without having to buy tickets. It is good fun.”
A fake ID is also a quick solution for those who have graduated from college, but miss the perks of being a student. Ajith, an engineering graduate, says, “I use my fake ID to not just get a concession on railway tickets, but also to avail cool offers from my mobile service provider. Student discounts are something I’m not ready to give up.”
you don’t have to be a con artist to snag a fake ID. Any neighbourhood DTP guy will do it for you for as little as Rs 50, complete with colour photographs, seals, lamination and the works, adds Ajith.
city cops however, are anything but amused. DCP Ravi Varma says, “Only recently we arrested a man with a fake press card at Langar House. Whether it is a media person or the commissioner in mufti, no one can escape penalty for violation of rules. We are keeping an eye out for such imposters and are taking appropriate action.”

source.dc