Kalyan: In a swift, technology-driven operation, the Kolsewadi Police cracked a Rs 5 lakh fraud case within just five hours of the crime. The accused allegedly posed as police officers to rob a Pune resident in Kalyan East.

Complainant Deepak Shinde from Pune was lured to Kalyan with an offer to exchange Rs 5 lakh—including Rs 10, Rs 50, and Rs 100 notes—for Rs 7 lakh, promising an additional Rs 2 lakh profit. When Shinde arrived near Vitthalwadi Railway Station with the cash, three to four men in a Scorpio vehicle approached him under the pretext of completing the exchange. Suddenly, they claimed, “We are the police, what are you doing here?” The suspects forced him into their vehicle, snatched the bag containing Rs 5 lakh, and fled.

Upon receiving the complaint, Kolsewadi Police analysed the accused’s mobile phone records to track movement patterns. The Crime Investigation Team identified that the suspects’ Scorpio was heading along the old Pune Highway. Coordination with Talegaon Dabhade Police led to a naka bandi at the Somatane Phata toll booth, where four accused were arrested within five hours.

Further investigation revealed additional accomplices fleeing towards Shirdi-Manmad via Ahilyanagar. With assistance from the Rahuri Police, a blockade was set up, leading to more arrests within 36 hours.

Police recovered Rs 2.36 lakh from the stolen amount, seized two Scorpio vehicles, and confiscated nine mobile phones used in the crime. The accused have reportedly confessed, and efforts are ongoing to trace other suspects. The operation was conducted under the guidance of senior police officials.