The District Police Office in Banke has arrested an Indian citizen for allegedly defrauding a local resident of Rs 20 million by falsely promising to extract gold from underground.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Aayush Prasad Joshi identified the suspect as 42-year-old Sadabuddin Halwai, a resident of Singhapuri in Pachpedwa, Balrampur District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Halwai is accused of repeatedly deceiving Nasir Ahmed Behna, a local from Nepalgunj-19, by claiming there were abundant gold deposits underground and that he could extract them.
DSP Joshi explained that Halwai was apprehended following a complaint from Behna, who alleged that the suspect had tricked him into paying Rs 20 million with promises of gold extraction near the Mohanpur brick kilns in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-19.
The arrest took place near the bus park in Nepalgunj-4. During the operation, police seized several items from Halwai, including 1,049 gold-plated coins, three earthen pots, three metal pots, a metal chain, an idol of Ganesh, over 600 stones of various sizes, boxes, a book written in Urdu, a car with the Uttar Pradesh registration number UP 32 PP 6110, and cheques and vouchers from Nepali and Indian banks.
The police have extended Halwai’s custody for four days to continue their investigation.
In light of the incident, the District Police Office Banke has urged residents to remain alert and avoid falling victim to scams involving claims of buried pots of gold.
