Bengaluru, January 4: In a heist reminiscent of a crime thriller, a group of impostors masquerading as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials raided a businessman's residence in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district and swindled him of ₹30 lakh.
The incident occurred late Friday night at the home of Sulaiman Haji, a prosperous Beedi businessman in the Narsha region. According to police reports, the gang arrived in a vehicle with Tamil Nadu registration and claimed they were conducting an authorized search and seizure operation.
Haji, who has been a prominent figure in the local beedi industry, became the target after the gang reportedly gathered information about his wealth. During the two-hour-long ‘raid,’ the impostors scoured the bungalow, seizing ₹30 lakh in cash hidden in various spots. While they discovered gold ornaments, they left the jewelry and other valuables behind, claiming they were only confiscating the cash in line with "official procedures."
The gang assured Haji that he could retrieve the cash after providing the necessary explanations following their "investigation." However, suspicion arose soon after their departure. Upon further inquiry, Haji realized he had been duped and promptly filed a complaint at the Vitla police station.
Authorities are now analyzing CCTV footage and pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the culprits.
