Jaipur: City police Thursday arrested two alleged conmen in connection with a Rs 26 crore fraud in which traders were duped with promises of radioactive plates, rare paintings, magical glasses and “miraculous” beads.DCP (West) Hanuman Prasad Meena identified the accused as Vinay Poddar and Vikas Poddar, members of an interstate gang arrested by Banipark police from Siliguri in West Bengal. Both had been absconding since 2019 and carried a reward of Rs 10,000 each. Cases were registered against them in Jaipur and several other states.
Police said the gang projected itself as having links with institutions such as NASA, DRDO, the defence ministry and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Forged documents were allegedly used to convince traders that the accused could arrange testing and certification of high-value “radioactive” plates and rare artefacts. Investigators said the gang floated shell companies and operated from offices in Jaipur, Mumbai and other cities. Victims were persuaded to pay large sums in the name of scientific testing and authentication. When the so-called tests were declared unsuccessful, more money was allegedly demanded for further examination. Several associates were arrested earlier, while others remain absconding. FIRs have been registered in Jaipur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Delhi. Police conducted raids at houses, offices and farmhouses linked to the accused on Agra Road and Ajmer Road, recovering rare paintings, glasses, beads and documents related to the fraud. Based on cases registered so far, police estimate the total cheating at around Rs 26 crore and have initiated proceedings to freeze multiple bank accounts linked to the gang.
