The Malleswaram police have arrested two inter-state fraudsters for allegedly cheating a Bengaluru-based jeweller of gold ornaments and gold bullion worth ₹1.64 crore by posing as prospective buyers.

The arrested accused have been identified as Paresh Soni (49) from Gujarat and Praveen Pappu (44) from Maharashtra. Police said two of their associates are absconding, and efforts are underway to trace them.

According to the police, the case was registered at the Malleswaram police station following a complaint filed by a jeweller from Chickpet on May 16. The complainant alleged that the accused had approached him expressing interest in purchasing gold ornaments in bulk. He carried around 1.514 kg of gold ornaments to an office on Sampige Road in Malleswaram for inspection and photography. However, the accused allegedly diverted his attention and fled with the gold ornaments.

Following a complaint, police launched an investigation. Based on credible information, they apprehended one of the accused near Anand Rao Circle at Seshadripuram on May 18. On being questioned, he allegedly confessed to the crime, and revealed the names of his associates.

Subsequently, police tracked down and arrested another accused in Maharashtra on May 20. Investigation revealed that a portion of the stolen gold, weighing about 220 grams, had been sold in a jewellery shop at Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai. A police team recovered the gold bullion from the shop, and brought the accused to Bengaluru on a transit warrant.

Further investigation led to the recovery of more gold ornaments from locations in Chickpet, Avalahalli and Guttahalli between May 24 and May 30. In total, police recovered 1.008 kg of gold ornaments and gold bullion, valued at ₹1.64 crore.

Bengaluru city Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the accused were habitual offenders who are named in 14 criminal cases registered in various States. He added that they follow the same modus operandi of posing as customers interested in purchasing jewellery before cheating jewellers and escaping with the gold.

The two accused were produced in a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.