In a shocking incident from Ahmedabad, a well-known gold and silver trader fell victim to a strange scam involving fake currency notes. The notes, worth Rs 1.30 crore, were so cleverly forged that they featured a picture of Bollywood actor Anupam Kher instead of Mahatma Gandhi, and the text read “Resole Bank of India” instead of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This unusual fraud led to the businessman losing over 2 kilograms of gold.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The victim, Mehul Thakkar, a gold trader, had been doing business with Lakshmi Jewelers for over 15 years. On September 23, Mehul received a call from the manager of Lakshmi Jewelers, inquiring about the price of 2 kg 100 grams of gold. Trusting the long-term relationship with the jeweler, Mehul quickly finalized the deal for Rs 1.60 crore and promised to deliver the gold the next day.
On September 24, the manager from Lakshmi Jewelers called again, informing Mehul that the gold was urgently required, but due to RTGS payment issues, the amount would be provided in cash as a security deposit. The remaining payment would be made through RTGS the next day. The buyer would meet Mehul’s staff at a fake Angadiya firm on CG Road in Ahmedabad for the transaction.
The Fake Angadiya Firm Scam
Following this call, Mehul sent one of his staff members to CG Road with the gold. Upon arrival, the staff member met three individuals at the fake Angadiya firm. One of them had a cash counting machine, while another person was disguised as a Sardarji. They handed over what they claimed to be Rs 1.30 crore in cash as a security deposit, promising to bring the remaining Rs 30 lakh shortly.
As the transaction was being completed, Mehul’s staff handed over the gold. But when they inspected the cash, they realized it was fake. Instead of genuine currency, the notes featured Anupam Kher’s face, and the text read “Resole Bank of India.” Shocked by the discovery, Mehul’s team quickly realized that they had been scammed.
Investigation Begins: A New Type of Fraud
Once Mehul was informed about the situation, he rushed to the scene and found out from nearby shopkeepers that the Angadiya firm had only started operations two days earlier and was a setup for the scam. When Mehul tried to contact the manager of Lakshmi Jewelers, his phone was switched off.
Realizing the magnitude of the fraud, Mehul immediately complained to Navrangpura Police Station. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the cash counting machine used in the transaction was delivered by someone who had no connection to the scammers. The entire operation seemed well-planned, as the fraudsters had even gone so far as to create a fake firm to carry out the con.
Police Investigation in Progress
The police have started reviewing CCTV footage from the area and formed a team to catch the culprits. This unusual and carefully orchestrated scam has caught the attention of law enforcement, as it involves a fake Angadiya firm and counterfeit notes. The authorities are working hard to uncover the identities of the two scammers and bring them to justice.
This incident serves as a reminder to businesses and traders to stay vigilant, even when dealing with long-time associates, as fraudsters are finding new ways to exploit trust and trick their victims. The police are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
