In an extraordinary case of fraud, a bullion firm owner in Ahmedabad was swindled out of Rs 1.60 crore through counterfeit notes featuring the image of Bollywood actor Anupam Kher instead of Mahatma Gandhi. This bizarre crime raises serious questions about the ease with which fake currency can be produced and circulated. The fraudsters executed their plan by luring the bullion trader into a false transaction, with the local police now actively investigating the case.
The Unbelievable Fraud Case Unfolds
If someone handed you a banknote with a picture other than that of Mahatma Gandhi, the national icon featured on all Indian currency, you would likely notice it immediately. But in this incident, the fraudsters used notes that were sophisticated enough to fool the employees of a reputable bullion firm for a short time, leading to a massive financial loss.
The case involves a firm owner, Mehul Thakkar, who runs a bullion business in the Manek Chowk area of Ahmedabad, known for its precious metal trading. He reported the fraud to local authorities after discovering that the cash handed to his employees was fake, featuring an image of the well-known actor Anupam Kher in place of Gandhi.
The Deceptive Transaction: How it Happened
The fraudulent scheme began when a group of individuals approached Thakkar’s firm, expressing interest in purchasing 2,100 grams of gold. They requested that the gold be delivered to a courier service office located on CG Road, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, on September 24. The perpetrators had carefully planned every step, even going as far as to set up a fake courier firm.
Once Thakkar’s employees arrived at the designated location with the gold, they were met by the fraudsters who handed over Rs 1.3 crore in cash, neatly wrapped in a plastic cover. The accused then asked the employees to verify the money using a counting machine, claiming they would return shortly with the remaining Rs 30 lakh from a neighboring shop. However, this was merely a ruse to delay the bullion firm’s employees and escape.
Shocking Discovery: Fake Notes with Anupam Kher’s Image
When Thakkar’s employees opened the plastic cover to count the cash, they were met with a startling sight—counterfeit notes with an image of actor Anupam Kher instead of Mahatma Gandhi. By the time they realized the fraud, the perpetrators had fled. The employees immediately reported the incident to Thakkar, who in turn filed a complaint with the Navrangpura police station.
Investigation Reveals Elaborate Plot
Local authorities wasted no time launching an investigation into the case. Inspector A.A. Desai, who is overseeing the investigation, revealed that the fraud was the result of a carefully planned conspiracy. The fake courier firm was nothing more than a front for the criminals’ operation. The office space had been rented, and a phony signboard was displayed to make the firm appear legitimate. In an additional layer of deception, the fraudsters assured the landlord they would sign a formal rent agreement within a couple of days, creating the illusion of a genuine business.
The currency notes, as discovered by the bullion firm’s employees, were fake, and instead of Mahatma Gandhi, they carried the image of actor Anupam Kher, likely an attempt by the fraudsters to mock the victim or test how closely people scrutinize cash during high-value transactions.
