Gang held for cheating 20 persons of Lakhs of Rupees

Theni,Jan 30 (PTI):A six member gang who reportedly cheatedmore than 20 persons of several lakhs of Rupees under thepretext of selling ''serpent stones'' (extracted from serpentsand believed to cure poisonous bite), with magical powers, hasbeen arrested and Rs 4.5 lakh recovered from them,police said.

Besides the cash, some arms and two pairs of Nagarathina(cobra) stones were seized from them near Periakulam in thisdistrict, Superintendent of Police Balakrishnan toldreporters today.

He said brokers employed by the gang would find gulliblebuyers, who would bring lakhs of Rupees to buy the stones.Asprices were being negotiated, the gang members would stashsome fake currency notes into their bags.

Meanwhile, other gang members, posing as policemen, wouldraid the house, check the bags, ''detect'' the fake notes andwarn the buyers of action. The buyers would be forced to leavebehind their money and go away, he said.

The SP said a tip off alerted them and they conductedvehicle checks at Kumbakarai Road. Their suspicious werearoused when occupants of two cars gave contradictory repliesto questions. Checks revealed that the vehicles were carryingfake currency notes.

During questioning, the gang reportedly admitted that theyhad cheated many people by this modus operandi.