Jeweler Duped by Six Men Promising Cheap Gold in Thane

A major fraud case involving a jewelry trader has surfaced in Maharashtra’s Thane district, where a businessman was allegedly cheated of ₹14 lakh by six people who promised to sell him gold at a lower price. Police officials said the incident took place in the Vasant Vihar area on May 12, and an investigation is now underway to trace the accused. According to the complaint filed with the Chitalsar police, the victim is a 31-year-old jeweler from Goregaon in Mumbai. The trader told police that a group of men approached him with an offer to sell 100 grams of gold at a rate much cheaper than the current market price. Tempted by the discounted deal, the businessman agreed to purchase the gold and arranged the payment in cash. The accused allegedly called the jeweler to Vasant Vihar and assured him that the gold would be handed over immediately after the payment was made. Trusting their claims, the businessman handed over ₹14 lakh in cash. However, after taking the money, the accused reportedly disappeared without delivering the promised gold. After waiting for a considerable amount of time and failing to contact the suspects, the businessman realized that he had been duped and approached the police. Based on his complaint, police registered a case of fraud and criminal breach of trust against three identified individuals and three unidentified suspects. Investigators have launched a detailed probe into the matter. Police officials said CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned to identify the accused and track their movements. Authorities are also examining mobile phone records and other technical evidence to gather leads. The incident has raised concerns among jewelry traders and businessmen, especially regarding deals involving cash transactions and offers that appear too good to be true. Police have advised traders and buyers to remain cautious while dealing with unknown individuals offering gold or other valuables at unusually low prices. Officials said efforts are ongoing to arrest the accused and recover the cheated amount. Further investigation in the case is currently underway.