Pune duo use fake receipts to raise loans against gold jewellery
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The cheating came to light on Tuesday when Vikram Dhokale (35), owner of one of these stores in Phursungi, verified the certificates. Dhokale gave the duo a loan of Rs 80,000 against a 13.3g of gold chain mortgaged with him.
Senior inspector Amol More of Phursungi police told TOI: "Dhokale runs a small jewellery store in the area. He realised that the chain mortgaged with him was gold-plated with 4 carats of yellow metal instead of a 22-carat chain as mentioned in the receipt given to him by the duo.
This was only 20% pure. The gold hallmark was mentioned on the receipt as well as on the gold chain, which matched, and so Dhokale accepted it."
Upon verification, Dhokale realised he was cheated and sent a message on an online group of jewellers from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
"This prompted over nine other jewellers to confirm that they, too, were cheated in a similar manner by the duo," More said.
The officer said the brothers would approach jewellery stores seeking loans by pledging jewellery.
"The two would present themselves as poor and in dire need of money. They wouldsubmit receipts for the gold they were mortgaging to the jeweller," he said.
"We suspect that the names and other details furnished by the duo are also fake. Our teams are searching for them in various parts of the city. We will nab them soon," More added.
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