Three unidentified men posing as officers from the Crime Investigation Department duped a prominent jeweller of gold jewellery valued at approximately ₹25 lakh in Bihar’s Aurangabad town. The incident occurred on Maharajganj Road on Friday when the victim, Raghunandan Saw, also known locally as Raghunandan Seth, was out walking near his residence. Intercepting him on two motorcycles, the impostors accused him of purchasing stolen ornaments linked to regional chain snatching cases, threatened administrative action and fines, and coaxed him into handing over 145 grams of gold before swapping the valuables for stones.
Intimidation on Maharajganj Road
The confrontation unfolded when three individuals riding two motorcycles intercepted Saw during his routine stroll and presented themselves as CID investigators. Citing several recent cases of chain snatching in the locality, the trio alleged that Saw had engaged in purchasing looted jewellery. The men informed the jeweller that administrative proceedings could be initiated against him and issued a direct threat of a ₹10,000 fine. Caught off guard by the abrupt questioning and aggressive posture of the purported law enforcement officers, Saw came under severe pressure, fearing imminent legal repercussions from the state authorities.
Taking advantage of the jeweller’s anxiety, the suspects instructed him to remove the gold jewellery he was wearing for official scrutiny. Under the influence of the coercion, Saw took off his gold chain, weighing approximately 110 grams and featuring a rudraksha and a trident, as well as a gold ring weighing around 35 grams. The combined weight of the two items surrendered by the merchant was estimated at roughly 145 grams, carrying a market value of about ₹25 lakh.
Sleight of Hand and Fabricated Verification
To dispel any lingering suspicion and gain Saw’s full confidence, one of the suspects feigned compliance with procedure by pretending to place his own chain inside a cloth. The men then wrapped Saw’s gold chain and ring in paper and bound them securely inside a handkerchief in front of him. During the exchange, the trio used sleight of hand to switch the parcel, handing Saw a matching handkerchief packed with ordinary stones rather than his gold ornaments.
The switch was carried out so swiftly that Saw failed to detect the exchange on the spot. Assuring him that his gold ornaments were completely secure, the trio mounted their two motorcycles and left the scene. Suspicions arose shortly afterwards, prompting Saw to untie the knots of the handkerchief. Upon opening the fabric, he discovered stones inside instead of his jewellery, realising that the self-styled investigators had executed a calculated swindle and escaped.
Town Police Scan Surveillance Footage
Saw immediately went to the Aurangabad Town Police Station to report the crime, submitting a formal complaint outlining the loss of 145 grams of gold ornaments worth approximately ₹25 lakh. Acting on the jeweller’s complaint, the local police registered a First Information Report and initiated an inquiry to apprehend the culprits and recover the stolen items.
Investigators have focused their attention on tracing the movements of the suspects by reviewing footage retrieved from closed-circuit television cameras along Maharajganj Road and surrounding junctions. The technical examination aims to determine the escape route taken by the three individuals on their two motorcycles and secure visual confirmation of their identities. The brazen swindle has triggered concern among local merchants, highlighting the recurring risks posed by con artists using fabricated law enforcement identities to exploit public fear and extract valuables through intimidation.
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