Assam: Fake gold racket busted in Barpeta, 3 arrested

In a move against the rampant fake gold trade in Assam, Barpeta district police successfully arrested three individuals involved in the illicit business. The arrests were made during a targeted raid in Howly, where the suspects were caught attempting to sell a counterfeit gold.

The raid, conducted by the Howly Police, followed a tip-off that led them to the residence of Phulki Para Abdur Rahim. Under the leadership of Howly Police Station in-charge Rajiv Neog, the operation resulted in the capture of Rashidul Haque from Sonapur Reserve village in Lakhimpur, along with Abdur Rahim and Hussain Ali from Phulki Para village in Howly. The police discovered the trio in possession of the fake gold boat, poised to deceive unsuspecting buyers.

Initial investigations suggest that Rashidul Haque was responsible for transporting the counterfeit item from Lakhimpur to Howly, with plans to sell it to a potential buyer. However, the swift intervention by the police thwarted their attempt, catching them in the act.

Superintendent of Police, Barpeta, Sushanta Biswa Sarma, emphasized the department’s commitment to dismantling the network behind this fraudulent activity. The detained individuals are currently undergoing interrogation as authorities work to trace the broader operations of the fake gold trade. Sarma hinted that more arrests could follow as the investigation progresses.

This operation is part of a broader crackdown by Assam’s law enforcement agencies aimed at curbing the proliferation of fake gold scams across the state. Such illegal activities, which involve duping people with counterfeit gold, have been on the rise, prompting intensified efforts by the authorities to safeguard the public.

The surge in fake gold scams has become a growing concern, particularly in rural areas where victims are less likely to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit items.