Gujarat : Fake ED Gang Busted in Gandhidham

Gandhidham : In a significant breakthrough, the East Kutch Local Crime Branch (LCB) and Gandhidham A-Division Police jointly apprehended a gang posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers in Gandhidham, Kutch. This gang, notorious for impersonating officials to conduct fake raids, targeted Radhika Jewellers and made away with jewellery worth Rs 25 lakh.

The operation led to the arrest of 12 individuals, including women, while one suspect from Ahmedabad remains absconding. Among the arrested, an employee of the Ahmedabad DRM office was reportedly involved, raising concerns about the gang’s potential access to sensitive information. Police officials are preparing to interrogate the accused further to uncover additional details about their operations.

Gang’s Modus Operandi

The gang used fake ED identity cards during their raids to gain the trust of victims. Their audacity extended to impersonating police officers and breaking into houses. Investigators suspect that the gang may have carried out similar crimes in other districts across Gujarat, prompting authorities to encourage potential victims to come forward.

East Kutch Superintendent of Police Sagar Bagmar confirmed the arrests and stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway. He assured that further details will be disclosed once the inquiry progresses. The police aim to determine the extent of the gang’s activities and recover stolen assets.

Previous Cases of ED Impersonation

This incident isn’t the first instance of fraud involving impersonation of ED officers. In August 2023, a man named Omvir Singh was arrested in Ahmedabad for defrauding a businessman of Rs 1.5 crore by presenting a fake ID card claiming he was an IRS officer and Additional Director in the Enforcement Directorate. He had lured the victim with promises of securing a lucrative tender.

The police are focusing on identifying other districts where this gang may have operated and determining the full extent of their criminal activities. They are also working on recovering the stolen jewellery and apprehending the absconding suspect from Ahmedabad.