Madurai
Two youths from West Bengal have been arrested on charge of cheating a city-based shopkeeper of ₹4.90 lakh on the pretext of exchanging foreign currency.
The accused have been identified as Mohammed Sameer Miar (28) and S Mithun (26).
The police said that A. Masur Arif (39) of Yagappa Nagar, who runs a mobile shop at Meenakshi Bazaar, was approached by a north Indian woman with the request of exchanging a 100-Riyal currency note for Indian Rupees on July 2. However, the shopkeeper denied any exchange until she produced any valid identity card.
Later, the woman had been calling him over phone seeking to exchange 3000 Riyals. She also promised to produce all the required documents. Meanwhile, the man had pledged his wife’s jewels in a bank and got ready ₹4.90 lakh.
On July 8, the woman again called him and asked him to come to Vasantha Nagar bus stop for exchanging the currencies.
The man along with his wife went to Vasantha Nagar where two North Indian youths approached them. One of them handed over a bag claiming to contain 3000 Riyals and took the bag containing ₹4.90 lakh.
When Arif tried to check the foreign currencies, he found only plain papers stuffed inside. The duo took to heels and escaped despite a chase.
On Monday night, Arif noticed the duo walking near Aavin junction. When he approached them, they took to heels. However, with the help of onlookers, he managed to nab them and take them to Anna Nagar police station.
The police recovered ₹48,500 from them. The Subramaniapuram police have booked the duo for cheating.
