Elaborate Gold Scam Uncovered in Mangaluru
In a significant breakthrough, Urwa police successfully apprehended an inter-state fraudster who posed as a wealthy businessman and executed an elaborate scheme to cheat a local jeweller of gold biscuits worth over Rs 31 lakh. The accused, operating under multiple fake identities, had been targeting jewellery stores across different states using similar modus operandi.
The Deceptive Gold Order
The incident began on November 21 when a man introducing himself as Arun visited a jewellery store in the Urwa area. Presenting himself as a successful businessman, he informed the store staff that he was opening a new office at a local business center the following day. As part of the inauguration ceremony, he claimed he needed 24 gold biscuits of 10 grams each (24-carat purity) to gift to his distinguished guests.
After carefully selecting the designs, the imposter instructed the jewellery staff to deliver the precious consignment to his office at noon on November 22. He confidently assured them that he would immediately process the payment through RTGS transfer once the delivery was made. The convincing manner and professional approach of the accused left no room for suspicion.
The Clever Escape
On the scheduled day, the jewellery store employees arrived at the business center with the valuable package containing all 24 gold biscuits. The fraudster welcomed them and escorted them to the fifth-floor cafeteria, where he collected the entire consignment. He then informed the staff that he would proceed to his office on the third floor to complete the RTGS transaction and return shortly with the payment confirmation.
However, the man never returned to the cafeteria. After waiting for a considerable time, the jewellery staff grew suspicious and began searching for him. They soon realized they had fallen victim to an elaborate scam, as the accused had fled with all 24 gold biscuits worth approximately Rs 31 lakh.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Based on a formal complaint filed by the jewellery store, Urwa police launched an immediate investigation into the sophisticated fraud. Utilizing technical surveillance and digital evidence, the investigative team traced the suspect's movements and identified his location in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
A special police team was dispatched to Tamil Nadu, where they successfully arrested the accused on November 26 at Puliyakullam. The investigation revealed that the fraudster's real identity was Pugal Vasan, also known as Pugal Hasan and Arun, a 50-year-old resident of Singanallur in Coimbatore.
During the operation, police recovered the entire stolen consignment of 240 grams of 24-carat gold biscuits valued at Rs 31 lakh from the accused's possession.
Criminal History and Modus Operandi
Further investigation uncovered that Pugal Vasan has an extensive criminal history involving similar fraud cases across multiple states. Police records indicate that he routinely used fake identities and sophisticated deception techniques to target jewellery stores in various cities.
The accused had previously committed similar crimes in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chittoor, and Tirupati, where multiple cases are already registered against him. His modus operandi typically involved posing as a high-profile businessman planning corporate events or office inaugurations, thereby gaining the trust of jewellery store owners.
The successful operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, with strategic directions from DCPs Mithun HN (law & order) and Ravi Shankar K (crime). The arrest team was led by ACP Pratap Singh Thorat and Urwa inspector Shyam Sundar HM, with valuable assistance from PSIs Gurappa Kanti and L Manjula.
This arrest highlights the effectiveness of coordinated police efforts in tackling inter-state organized crime and serves as a warning to fraudsters operating across state borders.
