Pune Police Nab Duo in Fake Currency Car Scam, Recover Counterfeit Notes
In a swift operation, the Pimpri Chinchwad police have arrested two individuals for allegedly defrauding a scrap vendor by purchasing his car using counterfeit currency notes. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday night, has shed light on a brazen scam that left the victim reeling from a significant financial loss.
Deal Finalized with Fraudulent Cash
The scrap vendor, identified as Hujeb Bagwan, 26, from Baramati, had put his hatchback car up for sale. The accused, Ganesh Dhakare, 21, and Samir Mhalle, 26, contacted him and arranged a meeting at Manik Chowk in Chakan. After inspecting the vehicle, they agreed on a purchase price of Rs 3.50 lakh. According to investigating officer Pradip Dhamdhere, the duo promised to pay Rs 3 lakh in cash upfront, with the remaining Rs 50,000 to be settled after the car's registration was transferred to their names.
Trusting their offer, Bagwan accepted the cash payment. However, the suspects quickly left the scene under the pretext of needing to perform a 'puja' or religious ceremony for the car. It was only after they had departed that Bagwan counted the money and made a shocking discovery: out of the entire bundle, only three currency notes were genuine, with the rest being fake.
Police Action Leads to Arrests
Realizing he had been cheated, Bagwan attempted to contact the duo but found their cellphone numbers unreachable. He immediately filed a complaint at the North Chakan police station. A police team, led by senior police inspector Sanjay Solanke, sprang into action. They tracked down Dhakare and Mhalle to their rented accommodation in Shelgaon, located in Khed taluka, and took them into custody.
During the arrest, officers recovered additional fake currency notes from their room. An officer from the North Chakan police stated, "We have recovered more fake currency notes from their room," highlighting the ongoing investigation into the source of the counterfeit money.
Background of the Accused and Investigation Details
The arrested individuals hail from Akola district and were reportedly working as daily wage laborers. Police believe they resorted to this scam in an attempt to earn quick money. Officer Dhamdhere explained, "The arrested duo are from Akola district and used to work as daily wage workers. To earn fast money, they duped the complainant. We are investigating the source from where they had procured the fake currency notes."
This case underscores the risks associated with high-value cash transactions and the importance of vigilance. The police are continuing their probe to uncover any potential links to larger counterfeit currency networks, ensuring that such fraudulent activities are curtailed in the future.
