Fake gold scam: Gang busted in Thiruvananthapuram, mastermind arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A gang involved in defrauding people by pledging fake gold ornaments has been busted. The arrests were made by the Peroorkada police based on a complaint received on the 14th of this month from a private financial firm in Thiruvananthapuram. The first to be arrested were Vazhayila native Pratheesh Kumar, and Ambalamukku native Jithu alias Shejin.

Following their arrest, the police also took into custody others linked to the racket and those who supplied the fake ornaments. Smiju Sunny and Sunny, both from Thannithode in Pathanamthitta, were the next to be arrested. Interrogation of the group led to the arrest of the gang leader Akhil Cleetus from Chalakudy. He was the mastermind behind distributing fake gold across Kerala.

The ornaments were crafted in such a way that the gold coating looked very convincing and could not be easily identified as fake. Police said Akhil Cleetus already has several criminal cases against him, including murder, NDPS charges and multiple fraud cases. Smiju Sunny also faces several fraud cases. Police added that there are indications of more accused persons involved in this fake gold racket.

The investigation was carried out under the instructions of Thiruvananthapuram City Deputy Police Commissioner Farash and supervised by Cantonment ACP Stewart Keeler. The investigation team included Peroorkada Police Station Inspector Umesh, Sub Inspector Jagan Mohan Dathan, Grade SI Manoj, Senior CPOs Aneesh and Ajith, and CPOs Arun and Ranjith.