Hyderabad, Nov 27 (Deccan Chronicle): A trio robbed three people of Rs 1.24 crore on Saturday night and fled with the cash. The victims had been given the money by their employer, a gold merchant from Mysuru, and asked to give it to an associate of his at an apartment in Narayanguda.

The merchant, M H Rajendra, had sent the money to purchase gold. “He sends his men to cities where gold rates are low, to make purchases. After procuring the gold, he sells it at the local market in Mysuru,” a police official said.

Sanketh, Swapnil and Thangappa, three employees of the goldsmith, arrived in the city on Saturday afternoon. They left to meet the associate at Skyline Apartments in Narayanguda at around 9.30 pm.

“They got there and were awaiting instructions when they get a call from their employer asking them to return because the deal had been cancelled,” said Narayanguda B. Ravindar.

The employees then proceeded to enter the lift, where they were joined by three other men. The men stopped the lift on the first floor and started accusing them of theft.

The trio dragged the employees out of the building. “Upon noticing the commotion, people in the apartment building went to call for help.”