Two persons opened an office under the guise of a courier service on C G Road and successfully deceived bullion traders. They made off with ₹1.60 crore worth of gold (2,100 grams) by providing counterfeit ₹500 notes.

Mehul Thakkar, a bullion trader based in Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad, received a call from Prashant Patel, the manager of Lakshmi Jewellers, on September 23. Patel informed Thakkar that a client needed to purchase 2,100 grams of gold directly. They agreed on a price of ₹1.60 crore.

Subsequently, Patel informed Thakkar that the client couldn't transfer the funds via RTGS immediately, but would provide ₹1.60 crore in cash as security and would transfer the same amount the next day through RTGS.

The following day, the client requested an urgent delivery of the gold. Thakkar sent an employee with the gold to the office courier located in Anand Mangal Complex on CG Road. At the location, three individuals were present: two were there to collect the gold, and one was operating a cash  counting machine. The employee was shown bundles of ₹500 notes wrapped in transparent plastic, which they claimed amounted to ₹1.30 crore. They assured the employee that the remaining ₹30 crore would be brought shortly.

The employee handed over the gold, believing he was getting paid. One of the con artists claimed he needed to step out to fetch the additional cash, while another excused himself to go to the bathroom. The employee was instructed to count the money after the plastic covering was removed. However, upon checking, it was found that all the ₹500 notes were counterfeit.

Upon questioning the person who brought the cash counting machine, it was discovered that he was in the business of renting out such machines. Realising he had been duped, the employee informed Thakkar immediately, and he reported the incident to the Navrangpura police.

Navrangpura Police Inspector N N Desai confirmed that the con artists had meticulously planned the scheme, including setting up a fake office and using counterfeit notes in large quantities. A probe is on to track down this gang operating through such fraudulent means.

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