Ahmedabad police are investigating two distinct criminal incidents involving gold, with the combined value exceeding a staggering Rs 15 lakh. The cases, registered on Thursday, include a sophisticated theft from a jewellery shop and a cheating case where a religious vow was exploited.
Shahpur Jewellery Shop Heist: Theft of Gold Chains Worth Rs 9 Lakh
In the first incident, the Gaekwad Haveli police station filed a complaint concerning the theft of gold jewellery valued at approximately Rs 9 lakh. The target was a jewellery shop located in the city's Shahpur area.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the crime actually took place on December 10. The shop owner reported that an unidentified man, accompanied by two women and a child, entered the premises posing as customers. The group expressed interest in silver items and engaged the owner in lengthy negotiations about prices, creating a diversion.
They eventually left without buying anything. The theft was only discovered two weeks later, on December 24, when the owner realized that seven packets of gold chains, weighing between 100 to 110 grams, were missing from a display case.
Review of CCTV footage from the shop allegedly captured the male suspect discreetly removing the gold packets while his companions kept the owner occupied. Police have launched a search operation to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in this calculated theft.
Vasna Cheating Case: Fake Cheque Swindle for Gold Necklace
In a separate and unrelated case, the Vasna police registered a cheating complaint involving Rs 6.51 lakh. This case revolved around a gold necklace that was offered as part of a religious vow, or 'mannat'.
The complainant stated that an unknown caller contacted him, claiming he wished to donate a 51-gram gold necklace after his daughter successfully secured admission to a medical college. Following the call, the caller visited the complainant's location with an accomplice.
At the meeting, the suspect handed over a cheque for Rs 6.51 lakh as purported payment and took possession of the valuable gold necklace. However, the transaction turned out to be a well-planned fraud. The cheque provided by the suspect later bounced, revealed to be completely invalid, leaving the complainant cheated of both the necklace and the promised funds.
Police Investigations Underway
Both the Gaekwad Haveli and Vasna police stations are actively pursuing these cases. The investigations highlight different modus operandi targeting high-value gold. The first appears to be a theft executed through distraction, while the second is a clear case of cheating using a fraudulent financial instrument.
Authorities are examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage and details of the invalid cheque, to track down the perpetrators in both incidents. These cases serve as a reminder for businesses and individuals to maintain vigilance during transactions involving high-value items.
