The accused were arrested for allegedly cheating an exporter of Rs 2.5 crore and around 50 tolas of gold using fake coins
Gurgaon: After busting an interstate gang led by a conman who duped people for over two decades across cities — particularly targeting wealthy individuals, including those linked to Bollywood — police will now write to Enforcement Directorate (ED) to verify the earnings of the mastermind.The accused previously duped actor Aditya Pancholi and the personal assistant of Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan. He was arrested by local police for allegedly cheating an exporter of Rs 2.5 crore and around 50 tolas of gold using fake coins.Identified as Solanki Prabhubhai Gulshanbhai, alias Kaplesh, the kingpin owns multiple properties and leads a lavish lifestyle. Police suspect these assets may have been acquired through proceeds of crime and will seek ED’s assistance in the investigation.During the probe, police found that Solanki, along with four or five accomplices — including two women — was travelling to Mumbai in an Innova Crysta on Feb 13 when he spotted the victim fixing his Audi on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway near Pachgaon Chowk. Sensing an opportunity, Solanki parked his vehicle at a distance.The gang, on the lookout for potential targets, approached the victim dressed in rags, pretending they had unearthed a treasure — a few gold coins — during excavation and wanted to dispose of it quickly.
One woman pretended to be Solanki’s sister, while the other accomplices posed as his colleagues. To gain the victim’s trust, the accused first handed over a few genuine coins, which were verified by the businessman. After repeated interactions, the gang struck a deal for a larger quantity, offering it at Rs 25–30 lakh per kilogram and luring the victim with the prospect of high profits.The exporter bought the remaining coins — the bulk of which were fake.
He was out of Rs 2.5 crore and gold by the time he realised what had happened.Solanki and three of his aides were arrested earlier this week.According to police, the exporter borrowed heavily from relatives and friends and even parted with ancestral jewellery belonging to family members to pocket what he believed was a treasure trove available at a bargain.Before Gurgaon police could arrest the two women, they were apprehended by Rajasthan Police in another cheating case.
Both are currently lodged in Kota jail. Authorities said they will be brought to Gurgaon on a production warrant for further investigation.According to police sources, Solanki met Pancholi near a farmhouse in Khandala around 15 years ago. “He randomly approached him and conned him in the same manner, duping him of Rs 20 lakh. He met Salim Khan’s PA at a beach in Mumbai and duped him of Rs 25 lakh,” an investigator said.The latest case was registered at Sushant Lok police station on April 1, following the businessman’s complaint.Police said the gang conducted recce along highways and targeted people with high-end cars, especially those stranded or repairing their vehicles. Solanki would approach victims posing as a labourer or JCB operator, claiming he had found gold coins during excavation near railway lines or construction sites but could not sell them openly for fear of police action.Using proceeds of crime, he allegedly built substantial assets, including purchasing a hotel on the Delhi-Mumbai highway near Karjan in Gujarat around four years ago. He also ventured into the film industry by producing a Gujarati film titled ‘Love You’ and attempted to gain political clout by fielding one of his wives as a candidate in municipal elections.Sources added that one of his wives worked as the lead actress in the film, and actor Rajpal Yadav was also part of the project. Solanki invested over Rs 1 crore in the film, according to police. “We will formally communicate with ED, which will evaluate his assets and investments,” a police officer said.
