A case of cheating involving the promise of cheap gold has come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district, where a man was allegedly duped of ₹2 lakh and later intimidated instead of being helped after he sought police assistance. The incident has taken a serious turn with the arrest of three people, including two constables posted with Dial 112, while the search for other accused continues.
The case pertains to the Rajesultanpur police station area and centres around Devchandpur village. The victim, Shivam Mishra, a resident of Gorakhpur, stated that he came in contact with Virendra Verma and Pramod Singh, both residents of Devchandpur, over the phone. The two allegedly lured him with an offer to arrange gold at a price significantly lower than the market rate.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
According to the complaint, a deal was finalised for 50 grams of gold for ₹2 lakh. Shivam was asked to come to Deoria market on January 13 with the cash to complete the transaction. Trusting the assurance, he reached the location with ₹2 lakh in cash as agreed.
Shivam alleged that after taking the money, Pramod Singh and Virendra Verma handed him a bag and hurriedly left the spot. When he later opened the bag, he was shocked to find it filled with counterfeit currency notes instead of gold. Realising he had been cheated, Shivam immediately called Dial 112 to report the incident and seek police help.
However, the situation allegedly worsened after the police arrived. Shivam claimed that two constables deployed with Dial 112, identified as Adarsh Yadav and Anil Yadav, not only refused to act against the suspects but instead threatened him. He alleged that the constables warned him of being jailed on charges related to circulation of fake currency and intimidated him into leaving the area without filing a formal complaint.
Fearful and distressed, Shivam returned to Gorakhpur without initiating legal action. There, he narrated the entire episode to a relative serving in the police department. Encouraged to pursue the matter legally, Shivam returned to Ambedkar Nagar on January 23 and submitted a written complaint at Rajesultanpur police station.
Following the complaint, the matter was escalated for internal inquiry. During the investigation, the allegations against the two constables were found to be prima facie credible. Their conduct at the spot was flagged as suspicious, leading to swift action. Subsequently, Pramod Singh along with constables Adarsh Yadav and Anil Yadav were arrested.
An FIR has been registered against the accused under sections related to cheating, criminal intimidation and other relevant offences. The two constables have been placed under suspension following their arrest. Police sources said further investigation is underway to establish the larger conspiracy behind the fraud.
Investigators believe the cheating was premeditated and that the use of counterfeit notes was part of a carefully planned scheme to deceive victims under the guise of discounted gold deals. Efforts are also being made to trace the source of the fake currency and identify others who may be linked to the racket.
Meanwhile, Virendra Verma and other suspected accomplices remain absconding. Police teams are conducting raids to locate them and are examining whether similar frauds have been committed elsewhere using the same modus operandi.
The incident has triggered widespread discussion in the area, with residents expressing concern over the alleged misuse of authority and the initial intimidation faced by the victim. Many have demanded strict action to ensure accountability and restore public trust.
The case has highlighted serious questions about fraud networks operating at the local level and the responsibility of enforcement agencies in safeguarding citizens. Further clarity is expected as the investigation progresses and additional arrests are made.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
