In a significant crackdown, police in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh have dismantled a gang involved in duping unsuspecting victims by selling counterfeit gold under the guise of “buried treasure.” Five individuals—three women and two men—have been arrested, and nearly 4 kilograms of fake gold ornaments have been recovered.
Sophisticated “Buried Treasure” Scam
According to investigators, the group operated with a well-crafted modus operandi designed to exploit greed and trust. The accused would target individuals in crowded public spaces such as village squares, fairs, and roadside areas. Initiating friendly conversations, they would gradually introduce stories about hidden treasure allegedly unearthed during digging activities.
To gain the victim’s confidence, the gang would first produce a small piece of genuine gold, sometimes even allowing it to be tested. Once trust was established, they would offer to sell the supposed “treasure” at a significantly lower price.
Victims, lured by the prospect of a lucrative deal, would pay large sums of money. In return, they were handed heavy-looking gold chains and ornaments that appeared authentic but were, in reality, made of low-value yellow metal. By the time the deception was discovered, the perpetrators would have already fled.
Police Operation and Arrests
The scam came to light after repeated complaints were received by local authorities. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Dibiyapur police station, in coordination with the Special Operations Group (SOG) and surveillance teams, launched a targeted operation.
On March 27, based on a tip-off, police set up a trap near the Brahmadev temple on Ajmatpur Road. As soon as the suspects arrived, officers moved swiftly to apprehend all five members of the gang.
During the operation, police seized approximately 4 kilograms of counterfeit jewellery, along with tools used in the scam, three mobile phones, and ₹24,500 in cash.
Accused Admit to Long-Running Fraud
During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to carrying out similar frauds over an extended period, primarily targeting rural populations and visitors at fairs.
Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Mishra stated that the gang had been under scrutiny following earlier complaints, and the arrests were the result of a carefully planned operation.
All accused have been booked and remanded to judicial custody. Police are now investigating their criminal history to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify additional victims.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant against such schemes, warning that offers involving “hidden treasure” or unusually cheap gold are often fraudulent traps.
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