Pilibhit: Six accused arrested for attempting to secure gold loan from SBI by stamping fake jewellery with 18 carat hallmark

In Puranpur, Pilibhit, police arrested six members of a gang on Friday who were attempting to secure a gold loan from the State Bank of India (SBI) by passing off fake jewellery as genuine. According to the police, the investigation revealed that the jewellery contained only 3.03 percent gold, despite being stamped with an 18 carat hallmark. The police have recovered the fake jewellery and equipment used to create the hallmarks.

How the case was uncovered at the bank

Superintendent of Police Sukirti Madhav stated that on November 5, Ikrar, a resident of Haripur alias Hariyapur, and Aadesh Verma, a jewellery trader from Sahukara in Puranpur, arrived at the SBI Station Road branch with fake jewellery. During the inspection, the jewellery was found to be fake. It bore an 18 carat hallmark.

Based on the complaint filed by bank employee Mahesh Chandra Gangwar, the police registered a case against both individuals under sections related to fraud and forged hallmarks. The police recovered a necklace and a pendant from Ikrar, and four bangles from Aadesh Verma.

Recovered jewellery

According to the police, the gold content in these ornaments was found to be only 3.03 percent. The necklace weighed 21.97 grams, the pendant 4.67 grams, and the four bangles weighed 39.96 grams, totaling approximately 66.6 grams. An 18 carat hallmark signifies 75 percent pure gold, whereas these ornaments contained significantly less gold.

Further investigation

The police have provided information regarding the arrest of the six accused and the recovery of the equipment used to create the hallmarks. Separate information regarding the roles of the remaining four accused and the source of the fake jewellery could not be obtained from the police. Further action against all the accused is underway.