Jaipur: US Woman Duped Into Buying Fake Jewelry Worth Rs 300 For Rs 6 Crore

A US woman named Cherish was scammed into purchasing an artificial jewelry valued at Rs 300 for a whopping Rs 6 crore by a shopkeeper in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Cherish bought the silver jewelry with gold polish from in Jaipur's Johri Bazaar. She discovered the fraud only during an exhibition in the US in April, where the jewelry was revealed to be fake. Following this, she came back to Jaipur to confront the shopkeeper, Gaurav Soni. He dismissed her claims.

Distressed, she filed a complaint at the Manak Chowk police station and sought assistance from the US embassy as well, prompting the police to investigate. In response, Soni also filed a case against Cherish.

Police investigation revealed that the jewelry was indeed fake and Soni had obtained a fake hallmark certificate from a man, who has been arrested. However, Soni is still at large and the cops are on a hot pursuit.

Police probe also revealed that the accused Gaurav and his father had recently purchased a flat worth Rs 3 crore.

"Investigations have revealed that the accused sold silver jewellery with gold polish, worth Rs 300, to the foreigner for Rs 6 crore and provided her with a fake certificate of authenticity. Nand Kishore, who issued the fake certificate, has been arrested, and a search is ongoing for the absconding father and son," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police North Bajrang Singh Shekhawat said.

Cherish got in touch with Gaurav Soni via Instagram in 2022 and paid Rs 6 crore for the fake ornaments for over two years.