Jaipur Police Apprehends Two Key Accused in Multi-Crore Interstate Fraud Case
In a significant breakthrough, the Jaipur City Police on Thursday arrested two alleged conmen, Vinay Poddar and Vikas Poddar, in connection with a massive Rs 26 crore fraud scheme. The duo, identified as members of an interstate gang, were apprehended by Banipark police from Siliguri in West Bengal, marking a crucial step in the ongoing investigation.
Details of the Arrest and Accused
DCP (West) Hanuman Prasad Meena confirmed the arrests, noting that both Vinay Poddar and Vikas Poddar had been absconding since 2019. Each carried a reward of Rs 10,000 for their capture, highlighting the seriousness of the charges against them. Cases have been registered against the accused not only in Jaipur but also in several other states across India, indicating the widespread nature of their criminal activities.
Modus Operandi of the Fraud Gang
Police investigations reveal that the gang projected itself as having high-level connections with prestigious institutions such as NASA, DRDO, the defence ministry, and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). To lend credibility to their claims, they allegedly used forged documents to convince traders that they could arrange testing and certification for high-value items described as "radioactive" plates and rare artefacts.
The gang operated through a network of shell companies and maintained offices in key cities including Jaipur and Mumbai. Victims were lured into paying substantial sums under the guise of scientific testing and authentication processes. When these so-called tests were declared unsuccessful, the gang would demand additional funds for further examination, thereby escalating the financial losses incurred by the traders.
Police Raids and Recoveries
In coordinated efforts, police conducted raids at various locations linked to the accused, including houses, offices, and farmhouses situated on Agra Road and Ajmer Road in Jaipur. During these operations, authorities recovered a range of items central to the fraud, such as rare paintings, glasses, beads, and numerous documents related to the deceptive scheme.
Scope of the Fraud and Legal Actions
Based on the cases registered so far, police estimate that the total cheating amounts to approximately Rs 26 crore. In response, they have initiated proceedings to freeze multiple bank accounts associated with the gang to prevent further illicit transactions. While several associates of the gang were arrested earlier in the investigation, others remain at large, and efforts are ongoing to bring them to justice.
FIRs have been filed in multiple cities, including Jaipur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore, and Delhi, underscoring the interstate reach of this fraudulent operation. The arrests of Vinay Poddar and Vikas Poddar are expected to provide critical insights into the gang's operations and aid in the recovery of defrauded funds.
