**Navi Mumbai Woman Cheated of Gold Jewellery Worth Rs 8.55 Lakh by Fake Devotee**
A woman from Vashi was cheated of gold jewellery valued at Rs 8.55 lakh by a man who posed as a devotee of the Jejuri temple, luring her with the promise of doubling her ornaments, police said.
**Accused Befriends Victim During Bus Journey**
The accused, identified as Deepak Shankar Patil from Daur Nagar, Uran, reportedly befriended the 45-year-old victim in October 2023 during a Shivshahi bus journey from Saswad to Vashi. Introducing himself as a devotee, Patil offered her barfi as ‘prasad’ and gradually gained her trust through repeated phone calls and WhatsApp messages. He addressed her as his ‘sister’ and convinced her that ‘God will be pleased’ if she trusted him.
**Promises to Double Gold, Later Refuses to Return Jewellery**
In January 2024, Patil told the woman he needed funds for his daughter’s education and requested her jewellery, promising to return double the weight through a jeweller. He even offered additional gold as a gift to encourage her trust.
Believing his assurances, the woman handed over two gold bangles, a 5 tola necklace, a gold ring, and earrings. Patil repeatedly assured her that the ornaments would be returned within 15 days. However, he only returned a half-tola gold ring and refused to return the remaining jewellery.
When Patil continued to give evasive answers, the victim filed a complaint at the Vashi Police Station.
**Police Action Underway**
An official from Vashi Police said, “An offence of cheating and criminal breach of trust has been registered against the accused. A search is underway to nab him.”
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*Also Watch: Police Register Case, Hunt On for Accused*
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/navi-mumbai-fraud-45-year-old-vashi-woman-duped-of-855-lakh-gold-by-jejuri-devotee-on-pretext-of-doubling-ornaments-case-registered
