In a dramatic turn of events, police in Dahod, Gujarat, have busted a gang of seven individuals who posed as Income Tax officers to extort money from a businessman in Sukhsar village. The gang, which included professionals from diverse fields and a GST inspector from Vadodara, orchestrated a fake raid and demanded ₹25 lakh, ultimately extorting ₹2 lakh before their scam unravelled.
The Fake Raid and Extortion Plot
The gang targeted Alpesh Prajapati, a textile and moneylending businessman, conducting a fake IT raid at his shop. Posing as officers, they inspected account records and pledged jewellery belonging to customers. During the raid, they demanded ₹25 lakh from the businessman. After negotiations, they extorted ₹2 lakh and instructed him to arrange the remaining amount from Zalod.
While accompanying the gang to Zalod, Prajapati grew suspicious and demanded identification. When the imposters failed to provide valid proof, they attempted to flee. Acting swiftly, the businessman alerted the police, who managed to apprehend five gang members while two others escaped.
The Conspirators
The gang included individuals from various professions:
- Vipul Patel: A GST inspector from Vadodara and the alleged mastermind. Previously a clerk, Patel had been promoted to inspector after 16 years of service. He conspired with relatives Umesh and Manish Patel to execute the scam.
- Abdul Gundia: A land broker from Dahod.
- Rakesh Rathod: A railway ward boy with a criminal record, including four prohibition cases.
- Bhavesh Acharya: An outsourced employee at Ahmedabad Police and an RTI activist.
- Umesh Patel and Manish Patel: Relatives of Vipul Patel, involved in planning and executing the raid.
- Nayan Patel: From Surat, also part of the conspiracy.
The Gang's Modus Operandi
About 25 days before the raid, Gundia and Rathod conducted reconnaissance at Prajapati’s shop. The gang carefully planned their operation, targeting Prajapati after learning about his business dealings.
Investigation and Arrests
The police have arrested five members of the gang, while two, including Rakesh Rathod, remain at large. Authorities are actively pursuing the absconding suspects.
Background of the Mastermind
Vipul Patel, the mastermind, had a long tenure in the state GST department before being promoted to inspector. Motivated by greed, he enlisted the help of relatives and acquaintances to carry out the fraudulent raid.
Public Warning and Legal Action
This incident serves as a warning for businesses to verify the credentials of officials conducting inspections or raids. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to crack down on similar scams and ensure that the perpetrators face legal consequences.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are continuing their investigation to uncover further details about the gang's operations and bring the remaining suspects to justice.
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