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Anantapur: In a major breakthrough, Satya Sai district police dismantled a 10-member interstate gang involved in gold fraud and seized ₹21 lakh in cash along with 2.60 kg of fake gold jewellery in Somandepalli.
Penukonda DSP Venkateswarulu revealed that the gang, led by Rana Krishna Babu, Anand Babu, and Bangari from Veeraballi mandal in Annamayya district, along with associates from Karnataka and Somandepalli, duped victims by offering gold at reduced prices. They purchased original gold chains and large quantities of counterfeit gold jewellery to deceive targets.
The gang targeted victims by cold-calling and enticing them with fake gold deals. They swindled ₹9 lakh from Eeswaranna and his friend of Vidapanakal and ₹14 lakh from Muni Venkatesh of Pipalem in Kuppam mandal.
Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended the gang at Nadimipalli Cross while they were dividing the stolen money. Authorities recovered ₹21 lakh, fake gold jewellery, and five motorcycles.
Kurnool: Prakasam police arrested Ganta Elishamma, alias Nandam Sujatha, 39, from Devarampadu village in Ongole mandal, for multiple robberies involving drugging elderly women. Inspired by a TV serial, the accused used prescription drugs Olanzapine and Trihexyphenidyl, obtained under false pretences, to incapacitate her victims.
Police, identifying a pattern, formed special teams and apprehended Elishamma in Ongole. They seized 460 grams of stolen gold worth ₹35 lakh and the drugs used in her crimes. SP A.R. Damodar commended the officers for their swift action in solving the case.
