Fake custom officers extort 40 lakhs from Posta gold merchants

In a shocking case of fraud in the bustling Posta area, gold merchants were swindled out of ₹40 lakh by criminals posing as customs officers. The fraudsters threatened the merchants, warning them of legal trouble if they failed to hand over the money.

According to the police, the accused extorted the amount from members of the Posta Gold Merchant Association. The traders were reportedly intimidated in various ways, including threats of implicating them in false legal cases. The fraudsters then demanded ₹40 lakh to "settle" the matter.

Posing as customs officers, the criminals visited a goldsmith's shop in the area, conducted a search without a warrant, and failed to inform the local police. During this fake search, they claimed to be high-ranking customs officers and even provided the names and designations of real customs officials to gain credibility.

Once the money was handed over, the fraudsters absconded, leaving the merchants in shock. A complaint has since been lodged at the Posta police station, and the police have launched an investigation to track down the culprits.

Sources indicate that the police are focusing on verifying the identities of the men who searched and examining the backgrounds of individuals who might have access to customs officer details. The authorities are also investigating whether this incident is part of a larger criminal network targeting traders.

The Posta Gold Merchant Association, which is home to numerous gold traders and jewelers, has called for increased security measures and stricter scrutiny of individuals posing as officials to avoid future incidents.