Ahmedabad: A sophisticated ₹27 lakh fraud involving misuse of the angadia cash and parcel courier network has come to light in Ahmedabad. According to police, fraudsters allegedly impersonated trusted business associates to deceive an Andhra Pradesh-based trader into authorising the release of cash through an angadia firm.
Trusted Names Used In Fraud
The complainant, Malaram Samelaji Devasi, an electrical goods trader from Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh, allegedly received a phone call in October 2025 from a man who identified himself as his long-time acquaintance, Harish Devasi.
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The caller allegedly informed him that a reputed person from their native village, Happy Singh, wanted to transfer ₹27 lakh to Ahmedabad and required his assistance in facilitating the transaction.
Shortly afterwards, the complainant received another call from a man identifying himself as Happy Singh. The caller allegedly claimed that his associate, Nepal Singh, would hand over ₹27 lakh in cash at Rajamahendravaram, while an equivalent amount was to be released through the angadia network in Ahmedabad.
₹5 Note Used As Token
A third caller, claiming to be Nepal Singh, also contacted the complainant and instructed him to complete the transaction through an angadia firm.
Believing the request to be genuine, the complainant contacted an angadia firm in Rajamahendravaram and initiated the transfer process. As part of the verification procedure, the caller allegedly shared the serial number of a ₹5 currency note, which was to serve as a security token.
The same serial number was communicated to the recipient in Ahmedabad. Acting on this verification, the Rajamahendravaram angadia firm coordinated with an angadia establishment in Ahmedabad’s Kalupur area, where ₹27 lakh was released.
Police Trace Angadia Trail
Police said the complainant later received confirmation that a man identified as Rakesh had collected the ₹27 lakh in Ahmedabad after producing the matching ₹5 currency note.
However, when the complainant later attempted to contact Happy Singh, Nepal Singh and Rakesh, none of them could be reached. On speaking again with Harish Devasi, he allegedly learnt that although Happy Singh belonged to their native village, he had never requested such a transaction.
Based on the complaint, Kalupur Police have registered an FIR against Rakesh, Happy Singh, Nepal Singh and other unidentified persons under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators are examining call detail records, mobile numbers, angadia transaction documents and other financial records to identify the accused, trace the money trail and determine whether additional persons were involved.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said criminals increasingly rely on social engineering by exploiting the identities of trusted acquaintances to persuade victims into authorising high-value transactions. He advised individuals and businesses to independently verify every person involved before releasing cash or completing any financial transaction.
