Gang fleecing people in name of Vadodara flood compensation busted, two arrested

The gang had duped seven people, said police, adding that the accused allegedly used to ask the victims to “leave precious belongings” in order to “become eligible” for the compensation and committed theft by distracting them.

The DCB said after the floods hit Vadodara in August this year, the trio allegedly devised a plan to dupe people in the name of providing compensation.

According to the police, Rajesh who used to drive an auto rickshaw for a living, collected phone numbers of other auto drivers in the city and called them, luring them into meeting him at multiple government office locations such as Narmada Bhavan, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) head office at Khanderao Market or along the highway.

“He would call the victims (to these locations), enticing them by saying that government compensation and food kit was being distributed there. When the victims arrived, he would tell them to leave behind cash, jewellery or expensive phones or they would become ‘ineligible’ for the compensation,” the DCB said. Police said that when victims would leave behind their belongings in his auto rickshaw, another member of the gang would steal it. Together, the accused stole several mobile phones, one gold chain, four silver bracelets, and cash worth Rs 16,000, said the police.

The police have recovered multiple stolen items and have also seized Rajesh’s auto rickshaw. A probe into the matter is underway and police are on the lookout for the absconding accused.