Punjab couple dupes jeweler of Rs 2 lakh by giving 'Manoranjan Bank of India' notes

LUDHIANA: Jodhan Police on Monday evening booked a fraudster couple for giving fake currency notes of 'Bhartiya Manoranjan Bank' for gold jewelry weighing 56 grams they bought from a jeweler. The cheaters struck Verma Jewelers located in the main market of Jodhan, about 20 kilometers from here on Monday noon.

Shyam Sunder Verma, owner of the jewelry shop told police that two persons came to his shop in a grey colored Maruti Swift car at around 11.45 am on Monday. He added that the accused persons chose gold ornaments after which he made the bill for the same amounting to Rs 1.98 lakh.

The complainant said that the accused kept Rs 4 lakh on the table and told him that he will come back after parking the vehicle. Meanwhile, the woman also went outside telling him that she will return in some time and give him the billed amount from the money kept there.

The jeweler told cops that later when the accused did not return, they checked the money and found that the notes were fake used by children in board games.

Police officials said that the notes had 'Bhartiya Manoranjan Bank' (Entertainment Bank of India) written on those. They added that instead of Rupees, the notes had 500 coupons and 2000 coupons written on those with 'specimen' written on the center.

In the mean time, after getting information about the matter, a team of Jodhan Police station reached the spot and started investigation into the matter.

Police on Monday evening registered a case under section 420 (cheating) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against two unidentified accused on the statement of shop owner.

SHO, Jodhan police station, inspector Jarnail Singh said that they were scanning the CCTV footage to trace clues into the case. He added that the car did not have a number plate in the front whereas the number on back number plate was not visible.

Police officials said that two footages of CCTV were being checked. They added that the man was wearing a cap and slowly went into the car, whereas the woman was seen hurriedly coming out of the shop and getting into the vehicle before the accused sped it away.

SHO said that both the accused were between 30 and 40 years old. He added that the relationship of the two accused would be known only after they were arrested.