A US citizen named Cherish has been swindled into purchasing artificial jewellery valued at Rs 300 for an exorbitant Rs 6 crore by a shop owner in Jaipur’s Johri Bazaar, Rajasthan, according to police reports.
Cherish bought the silver jewellery, which was coated with gold polish, from a shop owned by Gaurav Soni. The deception came to light when she displayed the jewellery at an exhibition in the US in April this year, only to discover that it was fake.
Upon realising the scam, Cherish flew to India to confront Gaurav Soni. However, the shop owner dismissed her allegations, prompting Cherish to file a police complaint in Jaipur. She also sought assistance from the US embassy, which has urged the Jaipur Police to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Cherish informed the police that she initially came into contact with Gaurav Soni via Instagram in 2022. Over the course of the last two years, she paid a staggering Rs 6 crore for the artificial ornaments.
Police officials have launched a search operation for Gaurav Soni and his father Rajendra Soni, both of whom are currently on the run. “Special teams have been formed to trace the two men,” stated an official.
This incident highlights the risks associated with purchasing high-value items through unverified sources, especially online platforms. The authorities are continuing their investigation to bring the culprits to justice and recover the defrauded amount.
