Police Bust Gang Selling Fake Gold Chains in Kishanganj

KISHANGANJ, India (AP) — Police have cracked down on a gang involved in selling fake gold at cheap prices by enticing buyers with promises of genuine gold near the West Pali Mall market in Kishanganj town. Three suspects, including a woman, were arrested, and a substantial quantity of counterfeit gold chains was seized from them.

Textile merchant Raja Mallik reported that ten days ago, two individuals visited his shop claiming to have found gold while digging during construction work. They offered to sell him a chain and a piece of gold at a low price, under the pretext of having discovered it underground, although the authenticity of the gold was questionable. Mallik, already aware of their fraudulent activities from social media, had been tipped off about their approach.

On Saturday evening, the gang returned with four kilograms of fake gold chains. While three of them entered Mallik's shop, the remaining two kept watch outside. Mallik and his associates promptly closed the shop shutters and apprehended the suspects, before informing the police.

A written complaint has been lodged at the local police station, and an investigation into the case is ongoing .

The arrested individuals confessed to their involvement in the scam, admitting to using the lure of real gold to deceive unsuspecting victims. They were identified as residents of Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh, named Randhawa, Sanjay, and Ganga.

Sanjay, one of the arrested suspects, revealed that their gang was led by Randhawa and his wife Ganga, who enticed them with an offer of ₹5,000 ($70) each prior to their arrival in Kishanganj. He disclosed that their modus operandi involved trapping victims by offering gold at cheap rates, claiming it was unearthed during excavation. They would present a small piece of genuine gold along with heavy imitation gold chains to gain the trust of buyers.