The Goregaon Police in Mumbai have arrested a 46-year-old woman for allegedly cheating a Santacruz-based jeweller of Rs 1.25 lakh by pledging fake gold ornaments.
The complainant, Agwatilal Rangsal Soni (64), owner of Mayur Jewellers in Goregaon West and Bhagwati Jewellers in Khar West, approached the police after discovering the fraud.
On August 30, the woman, introducing herself as Sonu, visited Soni’s Goregaon jewellery shop and pledged a 23-gram gold chain. The staff verified the hallmark and handed her cash worth Rs 1.25 lakh. She provided an address in Mira Road before leaving.
The next day, Soni’s son Vishal noticed irregularities with the ornament. Upon testing, the chain turned green, confirming it was fake. Sonu stayed in contact, claiming she had more jewellery to pledge. On Monday, she visited the Khar shop with a bracelet, claiming it was worth Rs 1.5 lakh, which also proved fake. When she tried to flee, the staff detained her and alerted police.
The accused has been identified as Sonu alias Chetna Dosi alias Chetna Mahendra Kansara (46), a resident of Navkhar Building, Kalpataru Garden, Mira Road. She was taken into custody and charged under relevant sections for cheating and fraud. She was remanded in police custody after appearing before the court.
Police are investigating whether Sonu has defrauded other jewellers using the same method.
