A 63-year-old man, identified by the surname Ruan, has been placed under criminal detention for allegedly impersonating a military officer to commit fraud, the Nanshan branch of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau announced on Tuesday, China Central Television reported.

Preliminary investigations by the Shenzhen police revealed that Ruan falsely claimed to be a retired major general and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to illegally obtain financial benefits.

He used these fabricated identities to engage in various social activities, the report added.

The case is currently under further investigation.