Vijayawada Police Crack Down on Interstate Gold Scam Gang
Vedullapalli police in Bapatla district have made a significant breakthrough. They arrested seven members of an interstate gang. This gang was involved in a sophisticated scam where they impersonated police officers.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The gang targeted a woman named Mogilisetty Sridevi. She resides in Pandur village within Samarlakota mandal of East Godavari district. The plot began with her relatives.
Peeriga Kalyani, along with Sridevi's brother-in-law Angadi Chandrababu and sister Prasanna Kumari, approached her. They claimed to be facing severe financial hardship. The trio said they were unable to redeem some gold they had pledged.
They promised Sridevi a deal. Once they could release the gold, they would sell it to her at a much cheaper price than market value. Trusting her family members, Sridevi believed their story.
The Day of the Deception
On January 6, Sridevi traveled to Stuartpuram village. She brought her driver along for the supposed transaction. This was all part of the gang's pre-arranged conspiracy.
At the designated spot, several individuals arrived wearing police uniforms. They pretended to be officers. These fake police threatened Sridevi. They accused her of attempting to purchase "stolen gold."
In the confusion and fear, the gang managed to flee the scene. They took with them a substantial sum of cash—₹6.50 lakh that Sridevi had brought for the purchase.
Police Investigation Leads to Arrests
Deeply distressed, Sridevi immediately lodged a formal complaint at the Vedullapalli police station. Authorities took the case seriously. Bapatla DSP G Ramanjaneyulu supervised the response.
Police formed two special teams dedicated to tracking down the accused. Their investigation proved successful. On Sunday, officers located and arrested all seven suspects.
The arrests took place in Thotavari Palem, which is in Chirala mandal. The group comprised three women and four men. From their possession, police recovered ₹4 lakh in cash. This is a portion of the stolen money.
Official Warning to the Public
Bapatla DSP G Ramanjaneyulu issued a strong caution following the arrests. He advised the public to be extremely vigilant.
Police warn against offers that seem too good to be true. This includes promises of cheap gold or stories about unreleased pledged jewellery. Such offers are often traps designed to cheat innocent people.
Authorities urge anyone approached with similar suspicious offers to act immediately. They should report the incident to their nearest police station without delay. Quick reporting can help prevent such crimes and lead to faster arrests.
This case highlights the dangers of sophisticated impersonation scams. It also shows the effectiveness of prompt police action in Andhra Pradesh.
