Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Nov 23: Kadur town police have arrested a gang of five cheaters who used to fleece gullible people by promising to double the currency notes. The arrested accused are Mahesh (40) from Kadur, Gangadhar (43) from Tumakuru, Iliyas (49) from Chikkamagaluru and Narayana Rai (53) from Puttur. They were produced in the court. Another accused, Tayyab from Bhatkal has remained evasive. The police are after him.

The gang worked with the help of a few mobile phones. They used to call random mobile numbers or get introduced to people through third parties and then make them believe that they can actually double the currency notes. After collecting money, they used to flee from the concerned.

The police, who began a probe based on a complaint received from Korappa from Puttur, closed in on the thieves. A lady named Kripa from Ujire too had been taken for a ride similarly.

The gang had called Kripa and told her that they know some temples, religious places, Swamjis and priests whose temple donation boxes are brimming with Rs 100 currency notes. They said these notes have to be converted into Rs 500 and Rs 2000 currency notes and asked her to provide them small denomination currency so that they can give back currency notes worth 130 percent of the sums given by them. Mahesh in saffron clothes and Rudraksha chain, posed as a Swamiji.

Kripa believed them and brought ten lac rupees near Chandramouleshwara temple Kadur on November 11. The accused took away the money and handed over a bag saying that it contained Rs 13 lac. They escaped after advising her to move away from the spot quickly as otherwise the people might notice. Kripa took the bag and found that the currency bundles contained only one note of Rs 100 at the top and the balance was bundles of paper. When she called the accused all the phone numbers were found to have been switched off.

Kripa went back home and complained to the police on November 18. Station house officer, K Ramya immediately began a probe and found the location through which the police could trace Narayana Rai and Mahesh from Puttur. Through them, the other three were caught. A Maruti Omni car used for this crime, a white colour scooty, Rs 5.1 lac in cash, mobile phones and some other goods were recovered.