The Anti-Extortion Cell of the Thane Crime Branch has successfully foiled a dollar exchange scam, arresting five individuals, including a woman, and seizing cash and evidence from the suspects. The accused were apprehended in the Rabodi area of Thane, with police confiscating a mobile phone and cash amounting to Rs 1.86 lakh from the group.
How the Scam Operated
The scam involved deceiving people by offering to exchange or sell foreign dollars at a lower rate. The suspects would take payments ranging from Rs 2 to 3 lakh from their victims, in exchange for a smaller amount of foreign currency or even paper instead of the promised dollars. The group operated with careful planning, building rapport with shopkeepers and locals to gain trust before defrauding them.
Background and Investigation
The police investigation revealed that the suspects hail from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi. They rented a flat in Mankoli Naka, Bhiwandi, which they used as their base of operations. The arrested individuals are identified as Hasan Musa Shaikh (29) and Farzana Alias Kajali Ameerullah Shaikh (39) from New Delhi, Ameer Ali Khan (26) and Majidali Tahir Hussain (39) from Uttar Pradesh, and Haider Shaikh (32) from West Bengal.
Senior Police Inspector Maloja Shinde stated, “The accused were living in a rented flat in Mankoli Naka, Bhiwandi. So far, we have found two cases against them, one in Manpada, Dombivli, and another in Deonar.” The suspects have been handed over to the Manpada police for further investigation.
Ongoing Efforts
The Thane Crime Branch continues its efforts to crack down on such fraudulent schemes, protecting citizens from falling prey to deceitful activities. The public is advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police.
By taking down this scam, the Thane Crime Branch is ensuring the safety and security of residents and promoting trust in the local community.
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Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the Thane Crime Branch’s busting of the dollar exchange scam:
Q1: What did the Thane Crime Branch do to foil the dollar exchange scam?
A1: The Thane Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell arrested five individuals involved in a dollar exchange scam. The suspects were deceiving people by offering to exchange or sell foreign dollars at a lower rate.
Q2: What evidence was seized from the suspects?
A2: The police seized a mobile phone and cash worth Rs 1.86 lakh from the accused.
Q3: How did the scam operate?
A3: The scam involved offering to exchange foreign dollars at a reduced rate. The suspects would take payments of Rs 2 to 3 lakh from victims and provide a smaller amount of dollars or even paper instead of the promised currency.
Q4: Where did the suspects operate from?
A4: The suspects operated from a rented flat in Mankoli Naka, Bhiwandi.
Q5: Who were the arrested individuals?
A5: The suspects are identified as Hasan Musa Shaikh, Farzana Alias Kajali Ameerullah Shaikh, Ameer Ali Khan, Majidali Tahir Hussain, and Haider Shaikh.
Q6: What will happen to the suspects now?
A6: The suspects have been handed over to the Manpada police for further investigation.
Q7: How can I protect myself from scams like this?
A7: Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, especially regarding foreign currency exchange. Always verify the credibility of the source and avoid handing over large amounts of money to unknown individuals. Report suspicious activities to the police.
