SRINAGAR, April 10 -- Police in Baramulla district have foiled a major land fraud attempt in Wussan Kunzer, arresting seven persons for allegedly impersonating officials and posing as land brokers to dupe a buyer.

The accused fabricated ownership claims over a 13.5-kanal land parcel and presented an associate as the owner. One of them allegedly impersonated a patwari while others posed as revenue officials to make the deal appear genuine, police said.

The complainant, Abdul Ahad Malik of Panzi Nara Shalteng, had already paid Rs 4.10 lakh-Rs 4 lakh in cash and Rs 10,000 via bank transfer-and was being pressured to arrange an additional Rs 20 lakh when police intervened.

The arrested have been identified as Ghulam Mohammad Wani of Pulwam...