Lucknow. Chowk police have arrested an accused in connection with an alleged ₹4.62 crore fraud in which copper bricks were passed off as genuine gold to a jeweller. Police have recovered ₹18.50 lakh in cash and 217.48 grams of gold jewellery from the accused. The investigation has also revealed the names of three other alleged members of the gang, and police teams are conducting raids to trace them.
Jeweller Sanjeev Kumar Rastogi, a resident of Peerbukhara in Thakurganj, was allegedly lured into the fraud after the accused presented copper bricks as gold bricks. The gang allegedly took 2,861 grams of gold from him, valued at around ₹4.42 crore. In addition, the accused allegedly collected ₹20 lakh in cash. The total alleged fraud amounted to approximately ₹4.62 crore. An FIR was registered at Chowk police station on September 10 following the jeweller’s complaint.
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After the FIR was registered, police began investigating the case. During the probe, the alleged involvement of Anwar, a resident of Khajuri Kothi in the Kotwali Nagar area of Hapur, came to light. Police surrounded and arrested him near Janeshwar Mishra Park on Tuesday.
The investigation has also revealed the names of Ajay alias Ashu, Mushahid and Sarfaraz. According to police, all three are currently absconding. Police teams are conducting raids at various locations to trace them. Investigators are also trying to determine where the gold and cash allegedly obtained through the fraud were taken after the crime.
Conspiracy Allegedly Hatched One-and-a-Half Years Ago
During questioning, Anwar allegedly told police that the conspiracy to target jeweller Sanjeev Kumar Rastogi had been planned around one-and-a-half years ago. According to police, the gang members had taken several precautions to conceal their identities and avoid detection.
The accused allegedly used only one mobile phone to communicate with each other. They would switch off the phone completely as soon as they crossed the Lucknow boundary. To avoid identification and arrest, the accused allegedly did not carry any valid identity documents.
The gang members also allegedly used public transport instead of private vehicles to avoid CCTV surveillance and mobile tracking. Police are now trying to determine how the accused established contact with the jeweller and what methods they used to convince him that the copper bricks were genuine gold.
Other Jewellers Also Allegedly Targeted
During questioning, Anwar also allegedly told police that the gang’s plans were not limited to Sanjeev Rastogi. They had allegedly planned to target several other jewellers in Lucknow and nearby areas using a similar method. Police are now gathering information about potential victims and the gang’s previous contacts.
Police are continuing efforts to arrest the absconding accused and recover the remaining property allegedly obtained through the fraud. The recovery of ₹18.50 lakh in cash and 217.48 grams of gold jewellery is being examined as part of the investigation. Police are also trying to trace the remaining money and gold allegedly taken from the jeweller. The arrest of the absconding suspects could help investigators establish the full network of the alleged gang and determine whether it was involved in other similar incidents.
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.
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