Fake ED Team Busted in Gujarat's Gandhidham, 12 Arrested Including Woman

A growing trend of fake officials and fraudulent government offices has been plaguing Gujarat recently, and now a complete fake Enforcement Directorate (ED) team has been busted. Following the shocking case of Kiren Patel’s fraud, several such fake officers have been arrested as the state's crackdown on these illicit activities intensifies.

12 Arrested, Including a Woman

The latest development came when the Eastern Kutch LCB discovered that a fake ED team had raided Radhika Jewelers in Gandhidham just three days ago. After a detailed investigation, 12 members of this fake ED gang, including one woman, were apprehended by the Eastern Kutch LCB and A Division Police. Complaints over the past few months have been numerous, of ED officers extorting money from businessmen and industrialists in Gandhidham and other places nearby. The police, therefore, initiated a proper investigation which led to an entire wide network of fraudulent activities. ₹45 lakh worth goods were seized, including an Activa scooter.

How the Fake ED Team Functioned

According to Sagar Bagmar, SP of Eastern Kutch, during initial questioning, it was gathered that this fake ED team collects data online and raids the havis of businessmen and industrialists and extorts money for crores of rupees from its victims. During one raid, they had seized substantial amounts of gold from the jewellery shop in Gandhidham. Shailendra Desai, one of the arrested men, introduced himself as an ED official and even made a duplicate identity card under the name of Ankit Tiwari for some others.

Fake Officials Rise Concern in Gujarat

This latest crackdown adds to a long list of similar fraudulent operations busted in Gujarat, including fake police officers, CBI agents, officials of the PMO, aides of ministers, military men, schools, courts, even judges. The police are still on the job as more such gangs are exposed throughout the state.