Azamgarh. A case of alleged financial fraud has come to light in Atraulia town and surrounding areas, where two brothers are accused of taking advantage of their familiarity and trust with jewellers and local residents to allegedly take away jewellery and cash worth lakhs of rupees. Kanhaiya Soni and his brother Monu Soni, residents of Katehari in Ambedkar Nagar, have been accused of allegedly taking gold and silver jewellery and cash worth around ₹50 lakh from nearly 18 traders and customers before going missing. According to the victims, both brothers have switched off their mobile phones since Raksha Bandhan and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Following the incident, several victims came together on Monday and approached the Atraulia police station. They submitted a complaint seeking action against the brothers, recovery of the jewellery and cash allegedly taken from them, and efforts to trace the accused. Police have started gathering information based on the complaint.
Jewellery allegedly taken on the pretext of showing it at home
Jewellery trader Rahul Seth told police in his complaint that Kanhaiya Soni and his brother Monu frequently visited his shop. Over time, Kanhaiya developed a close acquaintance with him and gradually gained his trust. The complaint alleges that Kanhaiya later took jewellery from the shop on the pretext of showing it at his home.
According to the complaint, he took a gold chain weighing around 20 grams, along with a needle-thread ornament and a locket. The jewellery was valued at approximately ₹2.75 lakh. The trader alleged that Kanhaiya switched off his mobile phone after taking the jewellery and never returned it. Repeated attempts to contact him failed, following which the trader began looking for him.
Two years of business helped build local contacts
According to the victims, Kanhaiya Soni had been living in a rented house in Tejapur in the Atraulia area for nearly two years. He was allegedly involved in a business dealing in one-gram gold jewellery and utensils. Through his business activities, he came into contact with several local traders and customers and gradually established a network of acquaintances.
The victims allege that the brothers used these business relationships to gain the confidence of several people. They allegedly collected gold and silver jewellery and cash from different individuals on various occasions. When people later began asking for their jewellery and money back, they were unable to contact the brothers.
Search conducted at ancestral home and relatives’ houses
After both mobile phones were found switched off, the victims also began searching for the brothers on their own. They reportedly visited Kanhaiya’s ancestral home in Katehari, Ambedkar Nagar, as well as his in-laws’ residence in Allipur Nizamabad and his aunt’s house. However, the brothers could not be located at any of these places.
The victims subsequently contacted one another, after which several other people reportedly came forward with similar allegations. The traders claim that the two brothers collectively took jewellery and cash worth around ₹50 lakh from nearly 18 people. The exact amount involved and the details of the alleged transactions will be established only after police verification and investigation.
Cash reward announced for information leading to accused
With the brothers reportedly absconding, the victims have intensified efforts to locate them. They have announced a ₹50,000 reward for anyone who catches the accused and hands them over to the police. A ₹10,000 cash reward has also been announced for providing accurate information about their whereabouts.
The victims said the sudden disappearance of the brothers has raised concerns about the recovery of their jewellery and money. They have urged police to trace the accused at the earliest and recover the items and cash allegedly taken from them.
Police: Matter linked to old transactions, action after inquiry
The officer in charge of Atraulia police station said the matter appears to be related to transactions that had continued for nearly two years. The two accused are currently reported to be absconding. The matter will be brought to the attention of senior officials, and further action will be taken according to law after the necessary approval.
Police are currently expected to verify the transactions cited by the victims, establish the actual quantity and value of jewellery and cash allegedly taken, and trace the two brothers. Further legal action will be decided on the basis of the facts and evidence that emerge during the investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
