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 persuaded to transfer ₹77,000 online before his mobile phone and gold chain were taken.
According to the report by Gujarat Samachar – Ahmedabad, the arrested men have been identified as Tanveer Ansari and Sanjay Sharma. Police allege that the pair targeted passengers at railway stations by presenting themselves as people in distress, displaying bundles made to resemble currency notes and using the situation to gain the victims’ confidence.
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 board a train to Maharashtra. While waiting, a man who introduced himself as Rajesh Yadav allegedly told him that his employer had assaulted him and withheld his wages.
The man allegedly claimed to have ₹2 lakh and showed Tiwari a bundle that appeared to contain currency notes. He then said he did not have money even to buy tea. After Tiwari offered to buy him tea, another man reportedly joined them and took part in the interaction.
Police said that after drinking tea, Tiwari began feeling drowsy. The two men allegedly used the opportunity to take his gold chain and mobile phone and obtain an online transfer of ₹77,000 before leaving. Tiwari later reached Kalupur police station and filed a complaint after realising that he had been cheated.
Following the complaint, police arrested Ansari and Sharma. Police reportedly recovered two mobile phones and ₹1 lakh in cash from Ansari, while ₹4,800 was recovered from Sharma. Investigators also said the two men had previously been involved in offences resembling pickpocketing in Delhi.
The reported method highlights the security challenge created by crowded railway stations, where travelling passengers may be carrying cash, phones and valuables while waiting for trains or navigating unfamiliar surroundings. The alleged use of sympathy, apparent financial distress and a public refreshment stop indicates that the suspects depended on face-to-face contact rather than only digital deception.
Police are investigating whether the accused were involved in similar incidents at railway stations in Ahmedabad and other cities. Investigators have also alleged that the men committed such offences to arrange money for online gaming. These claims remain part of the police investigation and will be tested through the case proceedings.
