Police have arrested two Delhi residents in connection with an alleged passenger-fraud operation at Ahmedabad’s Kalupur railway station, where a Maharashtra electrician was reportedly induced to transfer ₹77,000 online before losing his mobile phone and gold chain.
According to the report, the accused targeted passengers by presenting themselves as distressed workers and displaying bundles made to resemble currency notes. They allegedly built trust, offered or accepted an invitation for tea, and then persuaded victims to transfer money online. Police also suspect that the pair stole mobile phones and gold ornaments when passengers became vulnerable.
The case came to light after Jayprakash Tiwari, an electrician from Maharashtra, arrived in Ahmedabad with a worker for a job. After completing the work, Tiwari reached Kalupur railway station on 7 September to catch a train to Maharashtra. While waiting, a man who identified himself as Rajesh Yadav allegedly approached him and claimed that his employer had assaulted him and withheld his wages.
The man allegedly told Tiwari that he had ₹2 lakh and showed him a bundle that appeared to contain currency notes. He then reportedly said that he did not even have money for tea. After Tiwari offered to buy him tea, another man joined them and the two allegedly took him to have tea.
Police said Tiwari began feeling drowsy after drinking the tea. Taking advantage of the situation, the two men allegedly took his gold chain and mobile phone and obtained an online transfer of ₹77,000 before fleeing. Tiwari later approached Kalupur police station and filed a complaint after realising that he had been cheated.
The arrested men have been identified as Tanvir Ansari and Sanjay Sharma, both residents of Delhi. Police reportedly seized two mobile phones and ₹1 lakh in cash from Ansari, while ₹4,800 was recovered from Sharma. Investigators said the two had previously been involved in pickpocketing-related offences in Delhi.
According to police, the accused identified potential victims at railway stations, presented themselves as people in difficulty and used fake currency-note bundles to persuade them to transfer money. Police have also said that the men were allegedly involved in online gaming and committed such offences to arrange money for it. These claims remain part of the investigation.
The case highlights the risks faced by passengers who are approached by strangers inside crowded railway premises, particularly when requests for financial help are combined with distraction, refreshments or apparent displays of cash. Kalupur police are investigating whether the accused were involved in similar incidents at railway stations in Ahmedabad and other cities. The next stage of the investigation will focus on identifying possible additional victims and establishing the extent of the alleged network.
