Bengaluru Man Duped of ₹11 Lakhs in Gold Coin Scam in Shivamogga

Shivamogga: A Bengaluru-based contractor was allegedly defrauded of lakhs of rupees after being lured to Shivamogga on the pretext of visiting tourist spots. Contractor Gautam Bhandari has filed a complaint alleging a fraud of ₹11 lakh. A case has been registered at the Tunga Nagar Police Station.

How the Fraud Unfolded

Gautam Bhandari became acquainted with a Shivamogga resident named Pradeep in Bengaluru. Pradeep would frequently call Bhandari, offering to show him tourist attractions in Shivamogga. Recently, Gautam Bhandari travelled to Sigandur Temple with his friends Nagesh and Chikkaswamy.

While in Shivamogga, Bhandari called Pradeep. On their way back from the temple, Pradeep asked them to come to Srirampura, near Shivamogga.

Gold Coins Handed Over in a Secluded Area

In Srirampura, Pradeep brought along four other individuals Vasanth, Kollyraghu, and Muddappa. Pradeep convinced Bhandari that these individuals possessed ancestral gold coins and were selling them to arrange money for Muddappa’s daughter’s wedding. It’s alleged that Pradeep handed two gold coins to Bhandari and his friends, who had come from Bengaluru.

The ₹11 Lakh Gold Coin Deception

When the coins were taken back to Bengaluru and tested, they appeared to be genuine gold. Following this, Gautam Bhandari called Pradeep, expressing his interest in purchasing the remaining gold coins. Pradeep allegedly stated that 250 grams of gold coins would cost ₹11 lakh.

Gautam Bhandari and his friends then returned to Shivamogga with ₹11 lakh. They went to a secluded area in Srirampura and purchased the gold coins from Pradeep and his associates. However, upon testing the coins again in Bengaluru, it was discovered that they were not gold. A case has been registered at the Tunga Nagar Police Station in connection with this incident.

Also Read : Case Filed Against Youth for Posting Video on Instagram