Police have arrested two Delhi residents for allegedly defrauding a passenger at Ahmedabad’s Kalupur railway station by presenting a bundle of counterfeit currency notes, gaining his trust and taking him for tea, according to a report by Gujarat Samachar. The passenger allegedly lost ₹77,000 through an online transfer, along with a mobile phone and a gold chain.
The incident came to light after Maharashtra-based electrician Jayprakash Tiwari reached Kalupur station on 7 September to board a train home after completing work in Ahmedabad. While he was waiting for his train, a man who introduced himself as Rajesh Yadav allegedly approached him and claimed that his employer had assaulted him and withheld his wages.
According to the police account reported by Gujarat Samachar, the man claimed to have ₹2 lakh and showed Tiwari a bundle that appeared to contain currency notes. He then allegedly said that he did not have money even for tea. Tiwari offered to buy him tea, after which another man joined them and the two allegedly took him to a tea stall.
Police said Tiwari began feeling drowsy after drinking the tea. The two men allegedly used the opportunity to take his gold chain and mobile phone and secured an online transfer of ₹77,000 before fleeing. The report does not establish independently whether any substance was added to the tea; the account is based on the police complaint and investigation described by the source.
After realising that he had been defrauded, Tiwari approached Kalupur police and filed a complaint. Police subsequently arrested Tanvir Ansari and Sanjay Sharma, both residents of Delhi. Investigators reportedly recovered two mobile phones and ₹1 lakh in cash from Ansari, while ₹4,800 was recovered from Sharma.
Police told the source that the two accused had previously been involved in pickpocketing-related offences in Delhi. Investigators allege that the pair identified potential victims at railway stations, presented themselves as people in distress and used bundles of counterfeit notes to persuade passengers to transfer money. The police are also investigating whether the accused were involved in similar incidents at railway stations in Ahmedabad or other cities.
The case highlights the risks faced by passengers in crowded railway environments, where strangers can approach travellers carrying cash, jewellery and mobile devices. Railway stations combine high footfall, waiting periods and frequent movement between platforms, exits and food stalls, making it difficult for passengers to track their belongings while responding to requests for help.
Police have also told the source that the accused were involved in online gaming and allegedly committed such offences to arrange money for it. That claim remains part of the investigation. The immediate police action is focused on the two arrests, the recovery of suspected proceeds and establishing whether the pair are linked to other passenger complaints.
The Kalupur police investigation is continuing to determine whether similar cases were reported at Ahmedabad and other railway stations and whether additional people were involved.
