Lakkundi treasure: UP man held for cheating woman in Karnataka’s Gadag

Gadag: District police have arrested a Uttarakhand man on charges of cheating a Dharwad woman, from whom he allegedly collected Rs 22 lakh, assuring a treasure trace at Lakkundi. He allegedly showed fake gold ornaments to gain her confidence.SP Rohan Hagadeesh said Hazarat Moulvi, a resident of Kashipur, was arrested and brought from there. "It is learnt that he cheated many others in the region," he added.Police said Basheera Banu, a resident of Dharwad, filed a case against him in Sept 2022, alleging that he took away Rs 22 lakh in phases with the promise of getting her treasure. "She filed another complaint 10 days ago saying the treasure, which was supposed to be surrendered to the govt, was looted by miscreants. She provided the video of the treasure to police," they added.They also said Moulvi approached some farmers in Lakkundi through Banu and visited farmers' fields in Sept 2022. "After showing them some spots, which he claimed as having treasure, he told them that he would return after one month. He arranged some chocolates — with gold-coloured wrappers — and kept them in a big copper vessel bought in Gadag. He buried it in a field. Later, there was a quarrel between farmers and others. After realising that they were fake ornaments, Banu filed a complaint," they stated.