Panic gripped the bullion market after about ₹1 crore worth of gold jewellery (600–650 grams) was fraudulently taken from Raghunandan Jewellers in the busy Abu Lane area in broad daylight. The crime was executed through a carefully orchestrated phone call and a staged cash-payment confusion, allowing the accused to escape with the jewellery.
Deal finalised through WhatsApp call
Around 1 pm, a caller identifying himself as “Krishna,” a Delhi-based trader, contacted the showroom via WhatsApp and placed a bulk gold order. Claiming he could not visit personally, he said he would send his “nephew.” Shortly after, a युवक arrived at the showroom, inspected ornaments and selected jewellery weighing about 600–650 grams.
During a follow-up call on payment, the caller expressed inability to pay online and said cash would be sent.
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Four men brought cash, “nephew” exited with gold
About half an hour later, four men reached the showroom with cash. After the amount was handed over, the selected jewellery was delivered to the युवक posing as the nephew. Moments after he left, the four men stopped the payment, claiming they had only come to show cash for a bank entry and were not purchasing gold.
A trader from Roorkee Road, Praveen Sharma, told police he had been sent to the showroom by a person named “Krishna” for a cash-entry purpose and did not know the युवक who took the jewellery.
Two different “Krishnas” used to create confusion
Investigators found that two different individuals using the name “Krishna” were involved:
- One who sent Praveen Sharma to the showroom
- Another who posed as the buyer on phone
This dual-identity tactic broke the link between cash payment and jewellery delivery, enabling the आरोपी to flee with the gold.
Two detained, others being questioned
Police have detained Rajveer and Pankaj Nishad, currently residing in Delhi. Two more persons are being questioned. Two police teams and a SWAT unit have been deployed to track the main आरोपी who carried the jewellery.
CCTV and call records under analysis
Officers are examining CCTV footage from the showroom and surrounding areas to identify the युवक and his accomplices. Call detail records and digital communications are also being analysed to trace the network.
Bullion traders demand stricter protocols
Members of the Meerut Bullion Traders Association reached the spot and demanded mandatory identity verification, payment confirmation and delivery protocols for high-value cash transactions.
Probe points to organised fraud
Police suspect an organised multi-state fraud network. Digital evidence, cash trail and surveillance inputs are being compiled to identify the kingpin and recover the jewellery. Traders have been advised not to release high-value goods without verified payment and buyer authentication.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
