Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 27: Police arrested six individuals who allegedly attempted to cheat a local finance firm by pledging fake gold ornaments as 22-carat jewellery and securing loans. The arrests were made within the jurisdiction of the Ullal police station. Officers have seized a total of 141 grams of fake 9-carat gold ornaments, six mobile phones, and Rs 47,000 in cash from the accused.

On November 22, accused Naufal and Zaheem Ahmed reportedly visited Guru Raghavendra Finance & Investment, located at Dwaraka Complex in Tokkottu, where they pledged 41 grams of 9-carat gold ornaments by presenting them as 22-carat jewellery. They secured a loan of Rs 3,55,000 in the name of Zaheem Ahmed. Later, on November 24, accused Imtiyaz attempted a similar act by trying to pledge fake gold ornaments, which raised suspicion among the staff. Upon verification, the ornaments were found to be fake, prompting the firm to file a complaint. Based on this, a case was registered at Ullal police station on November 25 under Crime No. 248/2025.

During the investigation, police apprehended accused Imtiyaz and Zaheem Ahmed at 9 pm on November 25 near Thokkottu Junction. On November 26, officers arrested Vikram Amrutlal Bagha and Mohammad Ismail near Pumpwell, followed by the arrest of Mohammad Bista and Umar Farooq near KPT, Mangaluru, at around 10:15 am the same day.

From the arrested Vikram Amrutlal Bagha, police seized Rs 47,000 in cash. From Umar Farooq, officers recovered a 20-gram chain resembling gold but made of 9-carat material. From Mohammad Bista, they seized six rings weighing 25 grams. Police also recovered the 41-gram chain pledged by Zaheem Ahmed, the 55-gram chain submitted by Imtiyaz, and a brass light.

Investigations have revealed that the key supplier of the 9-carat fake gold used in the fraud was Vikram Amrutlal Bagha. Further investigation into the case is underway.