Seven-member gang arrested for duping public in guise of treasure hunt in Adilabad

Adilabad police busted a seven-member gang led by self-styled godman Raj Kumar, who duped people with fake treasure hunts. The gang collected Rs 1.03 crore from 26 victims by planting counterfeit gold coins bought online and staging rituals to convince people of divine possession.

Adilabad: A seven-member gang involved in alleged treasure hunt was busted by the police, who seized a car, motorcycle, seven mobile phones and counterfeit gold coins from the gangsters’ possession.

Briefing details of the arrest, SP Akhil Mahajan said that the arrested persons included Darshanala Raj Kumar, Ardhangi Mahender, Balevar Naveen, Ringan Kumar, Eti Shyam, Kadire Akhil and Donipelli Arun Kumar. All of them hail from Pippalkot village in Bheempur mandal.

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Akhil said the prime accused person, Raj Kumar, a self-styled godman, duped the public by collecting huge amounts in the name of treasure hunting. Raj Kumar confessed to buying fake gold coins from e-commerce portals, Akhil explained.

Raj Kumar revealed that he would perform certain rituals while hiding the coins he purchased in the ground. Later, he would claim that he found the treasure. He admitted to collecting Rs 1.03 crore from 26 persons with the help of six members of the gang. 

He would convince his prospective victims that he would be possessed by God while hunting for treasure. He disclosed that he collected anywhere between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 6 lakh each from the gullible people. His victims belonged to several parts of the district.

The SP further said that 12 cases were registered against the gang in different parts of the district. Adilabad DSP L Jeevan Reddy, Inspector G Shravan, SI Vikram were present.