Gujarat Woman Defrauded of Rs 76.66 Lakh in Elaborate Treasure Hunt Scam
In a shocking case of financial deception, a 62-year-old woman from Veraval in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district has been allegedly defrauded of over Rs 76.66 lakh in cash and gold jewellery by two individuals who promised to unearth hidden treasure using occult rituals. The Veraval City police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Sunday, charging the suspects with cheating, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The complainant, identified as Vijya Chorvadi, stated that she was lured into the scheme by Arif Gafar, also known as Bhuro Variyali from Una, whom she knew through a family connection. Arif introduced her to an unidentified individual referred to only as 'Aghori Tantrik Baba' from Amodra, claiming this person possessed supernatural powers capable of extracting immense buried wealth.
The fraudulent promise involved discovering diamonds, rubies, and gold buried beneath a graveyard (masan) in Amodra village. Expecting to receive a substantial share of this treasure, Vijyaben agreed to finance the costly materials required for the occult rituals.
Financial Drain and Threats
Over an extended period, the victim was systematically drained of her life savings through multiple transactions:
- She initially handed over Rs 35 lakh in cash specifically for ritual materials.
- Acting on Arif's detailed instructions, she purchased and surrendered numerous gold and silver items for the ceremonies, including multiple custom-made gold snake idols weighing 115 grams each, a silver thali, gold chains, and 480 grams of pure gold valued at Rs 34.70 lakh.
- She later provided an additional Rs 25 lakh in cash, bringing the total loss to approximately Rs 76.66 lakh.
The fraud was eventually exposed when the rituals failed to produce any results and Arif ceased responding to her communications. When Chorvadi demanded the return of her money and valuables, Arif allegedly responded with violent threats, warning that he would break her legs and kill her if she contacted him again or approached his residence.
Police Intervention and Legal Action
Fearing for her personal safety, Vijya Chorvadi informed her son, Jitu, who assisted her in approaching the Veraval City police. The authorities have registered the FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code:
- Section 420 for cheating
- Section 120 B for criminal conspiracy
- Section 507 for criminal intimidation
The police are actively investigating the case to locate and apprehend both suspects: Arif Gafar and the mysterious 'Aghori Tantrik Baba.' This incident highlights the dangers of falling prey to supernatural promises and the importance of verifying claims before investing substantial resources.
