A sophisticated fake police racket operating in Maharashtra’s Kalyan met its match with Kolsewadi Police’s decisive raid. Eight perpetrators behind a Rs 5 lakh swindle stand arrested, as officers confiscated Rs 2.36 lakh, two Scorpios instrumental in the getaway, and nine mobiles. The manhunt for absconders persists.
Victim Deepak Shinde from Pune’s Waghole was baited with a lucrative deal: swap Rs 5 lakh for Rs 7 lakh in crisp notes. Drawn to Vitthalwadi Railway Station, he arrived cash in hand. Conmen introduced fake currency to spark suspicion, cueing the arrival of ‘police’ from a Scorpio who staged an inquiry.
Amid the confusion, they snatched the money-stuffed bag, shoved the exchanger inside, and fled. Kolsewadi’s rapid response included registering Crime No. 103/2026, followed by tech-driven pursuits via mobile tracking. The lead vehicle (MH-04-GD-7823) was traced to Pune Highway, prompting a Somatne toll blockade by Talegaon Police, capturing four.
Parallel efforts tracked the tail-end group to Alandi-Ahmednagar via Rahuri Police’s ambush. The full roster of nabbed crooks: Sanjay Nagojirao Bhosle (56), Gauspak Gulam Hussain Sheikh (36), Sominath Gaikwad (50), Arvind Jojat (39), ‘Pappu’ Pandey (51), Sharad Mohan (46), Naresh Sharma (45), and Pradeep Dhanve (38).
Under the strategic oversight of DCP Atul Zende, ACP Kalyanji Ghete, PSI Hemant Gurkh, and PI Ganesh Nhayade, Kolsewadi’s triumph exposes a pattern of fear-mongering by disguised thugs. This case serves as a stark reminder: in an era of black money exchanges, caution against unsolicited deals is paramount. Police vow relentless pursuit of justice.