Tokkottu police have arrested six people in connection with a major fraud involving fake gold ornaments at a local finance firm, while one suspect remains on the run.
The accused include Vikram (Maharashtra), Ismail (Harekala), Muhammad Misbah, Umar Farooq (Katipalla), Imtiyaz (Ullal Melangadi), and Zaheem Ahmed (Manchila). The seventh suspect, Naufal from Hejamady, is still absconding.
The scam began on November 22, when Naufal and Zaheem Ahmed visited a finance company on Konaje–Vivekananda College Road, attempting to pledge two gold chains weighing 41 grams for a loan. The ornaments bore a 916 purity hallmark and passed a touchstone test, leading the firm to sanction a loan of Rs3,55,000 in Zaheem Ahmed’s name.
Two days later, Imtiyaz arrived at the same firm with two chains and a bracelet weighing 55 grams, requesting a loan of Rs4,80,000. He claimed the gold was imported from Dubai, and the items initially appeared genuine.
Growing suspicious, owner Dinesh Rai consulted his goldsmith friend Uday Acharya in Mangaluru. When tested with acid, the ornaments froth, confirming they were fake.
Following the discovery, Dinesh Rai filed a complaint at Ullal Police Station, leading to arrests. Imtiyaz was apprehended first and helped police track the other suspects.
Police have seized six mobile phones, Rs47,000 in cash, and 141 grams of 9-carat fake gold from the arrested suspects. Investigations continue to locate Naufal.
