Navi Mumbai: A jeweller from Khanda Colony in Panvel was duped of Rs 70,000 by three individuals who pawned a fake gold chain at his shop. The Khandeshwar Police have registered a case of cheating against the unidentified trio and initiated a search operation to track them down.
Rameshchandra Bohra (49), the complainant, runs “Laxmi Jewellers” in Khanda Colony with his brother since 2006. On May 1, while Bohra was alone at the shop—his brother being away in their native village—an unidentified man came in to pawn a gold chain on behalf of a friend. However, when asked for a purchase bill, the man left without completing the transaction.
Two days later, on May 3 around 1:15 PM, two men identifying themselves as Anil Prakash Patil and Pravin Prakash Patil visited the store to pawn a gold chain. The man who had previously visited waited outside in an autorickshaw. Anil and Pravin handed over the gold chain to Bohra and even showed him a bill for the item on a mobile phone.
Believing the chain to be genuine due to its 13.420 grams weight and hallmark, Bohra trusted the men and gave them Rs 70,000 in cash. However, after they left, he tested the chain using acid and discovered it was counterfeit.
“Attempts to contact the duo failed, as the mobile numbers provided were switched off and the address they gave turned out to be false. Realizing he had been cheated, Bohra filed a complaint with us after his brother returned from the village,” a police officer from Khandeshwar police station said.
The police have registered a case under cheating charges and are currently working to identify and apprehend the accused.
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