Rajkot Silver Trader Files Police Complaint Over Rs 17 Lakh Fraud
A 39-year-old silver trader from Rajkot has lodged a formal complaint at the Thorala police station, alleging a sophisticated fraud amounting to over Rs 17 lakh. The complaint centers on a man who is accused of impersonating a jeweller from Uttar Pradesh to execute the scam.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to the police complaint, Deepak Mandali, who operates a silver business and deals with traders across Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, was approached approximately four months ago by an individual identifying himself as Mukesh Jaiswal from Gorakhpur. Jaiswal claimed to be the proprietor of "Jaiswal Jewellers Shri Radhakrishna" and initiated business dealings with Mandali.
The fraudulent transactions occurred between December 2025 and January, during which Jaiswal placed orders for silver jewellery valued at Rs 17.3 lakh. In what appeared to be a reciprocal trade, Jaiswal sent a consignment of silver to Mandali. However, upon rigorous testing, only 170 grams of the consignment was verified as pure silver, immediately raising red flags and suspicions of deliberate fraud.
Investigation Unveils Elaborate Deception
Mandali reported that when he attempted to contact Jaiswal following the discovery, the accused's phone was permanently switched off. Subsequent inquiries conducted in Gorakhpur revealed a complex web of deception:
- While a jewellery firm named "Jaiswal Jewellers Shri Radhakrishna" does exist and possesses a legitimate GST number, its actual owner categorically denied any association with the accused Mukesh Jaiswal.
- The visiting card and mobile number provided by Jaiswal were confirmed to be entirely fabricated.
- Two refineries—Shri Balaji Gold and Silver Refinery and MK Bullion Refinery—whose certification reports were cited by Jaiswal, formally denied issuing any such documents, further exposing the fraudulent scheme.
Authorities also uncovered that at least two other traders in Agra had been cheated using an identical modus operandi, indicating a pattern of criminal activity.
Cross-State Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Police investigations have confirmed that another trader, Pawan Rathod from Agra, had previously filed a complaint against the same accused at the Kotwali police station in Balrampur district, Uttar Pradesh. This cross-state linkage underscores the broader scope of the fraud.
Further revelations indicate that Uttar Pradesh police had arrested Mukesh Jaiswal in March in connection with similar offences. Reports confirm that silver was seized from his possession at the time of arrest, adding substantial weight to the allegations.
In response to Mandali's complaint, Rajkot police have officially registered a case against the accused under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, initiating a formal legal process to address the fraud.
