Three Arrested in Rajkot for Gold Fraud Scheme

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Three individuals have been arrested by the Amreli Crime Branch in Gujarat for orchestrating a deceptive gold fraud scheme targeting unsuspecting citizens in Rajkot and surrounding regions. The arrests follow a formal complaint made on June 16, after the suspects allegedly duped victims by offering what appeared to be low-cost gold coins.

The accused Dilip Solanki (33), Ishwar Vaghela (30), and Asif Rafai (31), all residents of Junagadh, were found to have used a tactic involving genuine gold coins to gain the victims’ trust before switching them with fakes during subsequent transactions. Their method was simple yet effective, exploiting the rising interest in gold investments by offering deals that seemed too good to miss.

Police officials stated that ₹9.58 lakh in cash was recovered during the arrests. Inspector V. M. Koladara explained the group’s strategy: “They would first send real coins to make the deal look authentic, and once the victim trusted them, they would make the switch and disappear with the money.”

The investigation also revealed that the trio were repeat offenders, with similar scams reported in Junagadh and Upleta. One instance involved cheating a man out of ₹50,000 at a bus station, while another victim was defrauded of ₹1 lakh under the same pretense. Authorities believe this gang may be part of a larger network that has operated across multiple districts in Gujarat.

While three suspects have been taken into custody, four others remain at large. Police have identified the absconding individuals as Rajesh alias Raju Solanki, Mohan Vaghela, Govind Rathod, and Jabir Banwa. Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them.

The case serves as a reminder for the public to exercise caution when approached with offers involving precious metals or investments without proper verification. Law enforcement continues to urge citizens to report suspicious activities promptly and avoid transactions that bypass formal checks.

The arrests are a clear signal that local police are taking a firm stance against organised fraud operations, particularly those that exploit financial aspirations through deception.