Nagpur police have registered a major cheating case against a city resident, long under the scanner for alleged gold smuggling from Dubai and Middle Eastern countries, for defrauding a young investor of a sum exceeding Rs1 crore.
Modus Operandi: Luring Investors with Gold Trade Glamour
According to police sources, the accused individual leveraged his purported connections in the international gold trade to cultivate an image of a prosperous businessman. This facade was used to build trust and attract investments from affluent circles, particularly in north Nagpur. The suspect primarily targeted individuals who had accumulated wealth through illegal means, convincing them to hand over substantial funds with promises of lucrative returns.
"The man would zero in on people who amassed wealth illegally. He would convince them to hand over substantial money but defaulted most times. Since their black money was involved, the victims refrained from lodging complaints," revealed a source familiar with the investigation.
The Complaint and Police Action
The case came to light after a youngster, having been promised high returns on investment, approached City Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered last week under sections related to cheating and fraud. It is alleged that after returning a partial amount, the accused refused to refund the remaining sum, prompting the legal action.
The accused has since secured ad-interim bail from the high court. However, the investigation is being actively pursued by the crime branch. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rahul Maknikar stated, "We are thoroughly probing the links of the accused and his modus operandi. Anyone can feel free to approach cops."
Broader Suspicions and Ongoing Probe
Authorities believe this reported incident is likely just the tip of the iceberg. While one FIR has been filed, investigators suspect there are several more unreported victims across Nagpur who have fallen prey to similar schemes.
Adding another layer to the case, sources confirmed that the accused has been on the radar of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for years due to his suspected involvement in illicit gold imports. The current cheating case adds a serious financial fraud dimension to his alleged activities.
The crime branch's probe is now focused on unraveling the full extent of the accused's network, his financial transactions, and identifying all potential victims who have suffered losses but may have been reluctant to report the crime.
