Udupi: In a case of deception involving a fake gold ornament, Padubidri police in Udupi district have arrested two individuals for allegedly cheating a woman by selling her a counterfeit necklace. The incident, which occurred earlier this year, highlights a recurring modus operandi used by fraudsters targeting unsuspecting pedestrians.
According to police reports, the complaint was filed by a woman identified as Bassamma, who was approached by the accused on January 13 near the old post office in Nadsalu village of Kaup taluk.
Victim duped with fake gold chain
As per the complaint, Bassamma was walking in the area around 2.30 pm when an unidentified man and woman approached her with a necklace that appeared to be made of gold. The accused claimed that the chain had a Lakshmi pendant and weighed approximately six sovereigns.
The duo reportedly told the victim that they were in urgent need of money and offered to sell the ornament at a lower price. Convinced by their story and the appearance of the chain, Bassamma handed over her own gold ornaments weighing about two sovereigns—valued at nearly ₹1.5 lakh—along with ₹6,000 in cash.
However, her suspicions were confirmed when she later visited a nearby jewellery shop to verify the authenticity of the necklace, only to discover that it was fake. By the time she returned to the spot, the accused had fled.
Police launch investigation
Following the complaint, a case was registered at Padubidri Police Station, and an investigation was initiated. Acting under the direction of Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar and guidance from senior officers including Additional SP Sudhakar S Nayak and DySP S Vijayaprasad, a dedicated team was formed to track down the suspects.
The investigation team, led by PSI Sakthivelu E and Anil Kumar T Nayak, gathered intelligence and analysed leads to identify the individuals involved in the fraud.
Accused traced and arrested
Based on the findings, the police identified the accused as Kavya, a resident of Buduganahalli in Bellavi hobli of Tumakuru district, and Venkatesh from Santhebennur taluk in Davanagere district.
On March 23, police arrested Kavya and recovered gold ornaments weighing 7.610 grams, valued at approximately ₹75,000, along with ₹6,000 in cash from her possession. Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the second
Accused, Venkatesh.
Team effort in solving the case
The successful operation involved a coordinated effort by several police personnel, including ASI Rajesh P, Girish U R, HC Krishnaprasad, PC Sandesh Bhandari, woman PC Rukmini, and Shirva woman PC Jyothi.
Officials stated that such fraud cases often involve well-planned tactics aimed at exploiting trust and urgency to deceive victims.
Conclusion
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case, though police continue their efforts to nab the remaining आरोपी and recover the full extent of the stolen valuables. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and avoid engaging in transactions with strangers offering valuables under suspicious circumstances.