By RAMOLA TALWAR BADAM
The Associated Press
Saturday, April 5, 2003; 3:41 PM
BOMBAY, India - Police have arrested a college dropout who obtained money from businessmen by sending e-mails saying he was India's president and soliciting funds for the work of a young scientist - himself.
Police said Friday they arrested 24-year-old Prasanjit Kamble last month and charged him with cheating, forgery and impersonation. If convicted, he faces a prison term of seven years.
Police said he sent e-mails to businessmen in India and abroad, saying he was President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - one of the founders of India's missile and rocket program - and recommending that they aid an "upcoming scientist," who happened to be Kamble.
An Indian citizen working in Bahrain sent Kamble bank drafts totaling rupees 132,000 (US$2,750) after receiving such e-mails, the police said. They did not give the total amount Kamble is alleged to have collected.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36218-2003Apr5.html