Gujarat Police Recover ₹11 Lakh for Sydney Based NRI in Online Gold Fraud Case

Gujarat Police have successfully recovered ₹11 lakh for a Sydney based NRI who was allegedly cheated in an online gold purchase fraud, resolving the case within a month of receiving the complaint, officials said on Sunday.

The complainant, Saurabh Jolly, who lives in Sydney, Australia, had transferred ₹11 lakh in April to a person in Gujarat's Amreli district for the purchase of gold. However, the promised bullion was never delivered, prompting him to file a complaint with the police via email in June.

Amreli Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kharat said the complaint was acted upon immediately after it was received. The district's cyber crime team launched a prompt investigation, coordinated with the concerned bank, and maintained regular communication with the complainant throughout the probe.

According to Kharat, investigators assured the NRI of full support and continuously pursued the matter until the funds were traced. Their efforts resulted in the entire ₹11 lakh being recovered and credited back to Jolly's bank account earlier this month.

Inspector Kamlesh Khatana of the Amreli Cyber Crime Police said the recipient of the money was asked to return the amount following the investigation. The individual subsequently refunded the full sum, enabling police to complete the recovery without prolonged legal proceedings.

In a letter addressed to SP Kharat, Jolly thanked the cyber crime team, particularly Inspector Khatana and his colleagues, for their exceptional professionalism, dedication and efficiency.

The Sydney based NRI said he had not expected an overseas complaint to be resolved so quickly. He praised the officers for regularly updating him on the progress of the investigation, coordinating with the bank, pursuing the alleged fraudsters, and ensuring that the full ₹11 lakh was returned to his account.

The case highlights the growing effectiveness of Gujarat Police's cyber crime units in responding to complaints filed remotely, including those lodged by Indians living abroad, and underscores the importance of promptly reporting suspected online financial frauds.