Mumbai: Lured by cheap gold from Customs auction, Kurla trader duped of Rs 1 crore; 5 booked

The two accused told him that they are into gold business and they get gold at a cheaper rate from the Customs department’s auction proceedings, the FIR said.

They also introduced the complainant to one Illiyas Khan Ajmeri who sells 24-karat gold at a rate cheaper than the market price. Ajmeri, Dawda, Rohit and their associates, Sunder Singh and Ajmeri Siraj Khan, in September 2023, took cash from the complainant and, as per their promise, supplied gold biscuits to the complainant thrice at a cheaper rate.

As per the FIR, in the second week of September 2023, Illiyas Khan told the complainant that auction proceedings of 6 kg of gold seized by the Customs department were done and he can get the same if he gave Khan Rs 1 crore.

According to the businessman, Khan also promised to return the money by the evening.

Even though the complainant did not show interest, the accused convinced him to invest the amount, police said.

The complainant borrowed some money from his friends and relatives and gave Rs 1 crore in cash to the accused near Vakola bridge in Santacruz on October 3, 2023, stated the FIR.

After taking cash from the complainant, Illiyas Khan told him that he had given the money to the Customs officials and soon his money would be returned.

After he did not get his money back, the businessman filed a police complaint.

The accused were booked under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and their role is being further checked, said a police source.