THANE: A city-based jeweler has registered a fraud case against a man posing as an Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) official, who duped him to the tune of Rs 14.90 lakh. The police said that the victim, Kamlesh Srisrimal, owns a jewellery shop at the main Jambhli market in Thane.
It was in September last year that the accused Gajanan Palwe, along with his wife visited the victim's shop wearing police uniform and identified himself as an assistant police inspector attached with ATS squad, Mumbai. Palwe showed interest in purchasing some gold jewellery and said that he would initially pay some amount and the remaining amount later.
The victim said that the accused actually cleared all the dues and gained his confidence.
In November last year, Palwe again visited Srisrimal's shop and expressed interest in purchasing jewellery. However, he told the owner that he would pay through cheques. "Palwe purchased set of gold chains, earrings, bangles and gave the victim four cheques," said a police officer.
When the jeweller deposited the cheque in the bank, it bounced due to lack of cash. Srisrimal then called Palve several times, but he gave evasive answers and kept saying that he would pay the money as he was not running away anywhere. Palwe's wife once visited the shop and assured Srisrimal of paying the amount.
This went on for several months, but lately the victim read the news of Palwe's arrest by the Naupada police and realised that he had been duped.
Subsequently, a case was registered at Thane nagar police station.
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