‘Bawari Gang’ from Rajasthan that duped traders with fake gold busted in Ahmedabad
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Zone-2, Ahmedabad City, has successfully cracked an unsolved fraud case involving the notorious 'Bawari Gang' from Rajasthan, known for cheating traders by luring them with offers of cheap gold. The accused would initially gain the victim's trust by showing a genuine gold bead and then swap it with a fake chain made of yellow metal (brass), duping them of large sums of money.According to the police, the gang was involved in a fraudulent incident reported on July 15, 2025, near Vaishnodevi Circle in Sabarmati. Two unidentified men approached a shopkeeper, claiming they had unearthed gold during excavation work in Rajasthan. After offering a genuine gold bead as bait, they handed over a brass necklace masquerading as gold and swindled the trader out of ₹6 lakh. A case was registered under Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Sabarmati police station.Taking cognisance of the seriousness of the offence, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-2) Bharatkumar Rathod formed a special team, the team analysed CCTV footage, cross-referenced past criminal records, and used technical and human intelligence to identify the suspects.Arrested accusedGangaram Chamnaji of Jalore district, RajasthanBabulal Bhalaram Dolaji Vaghela of Kalol, GandhinagarPannaram Bhimaji Dabhi of Thakkarbapanagar, AhmedabadThe investigation revealed the gang was active across Gujarat, often posing as labourers or miners. Their modus operandi involved claiming accidental discovery of gold during excavation and convincing victims to buy it at a discounted rate. They first handed over a real gold bead to build credibility and then switched it with a chain of brass beads, disappearing with the cash.Confessions and past offencesThe accused confessed to multiple such frauds–₹3 lakh duped from a victim near Kadodara Circle, Surat₹1 lakh from a trader at Vaishnodevi Circle, Ahmedabad₹50,000 in Banaskantha’s Dhanera market₹1 lakh from Unjha vegetable market in MehsanaIn addition to the Sabarmati case, two of the accused — Babulal and Pannaram — were also wanted in a 2021 fraud case registered at Chandkheda police station.Recovered itemsThe police have seized genuine gold beads, fake brass chains, ₹6 lakh in defrauded cash, and the vehicle used to commit the crimes. Police are also urging anyone who may have been duped similarly to come forward and assist in the investigation.
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Zone-2, Ahmedabad City, has successfully cracked an unsolved fraud case involving the notorious 'Bawari Gang' from Rajasthan, known for cheating traders by luring them with offers of cheap gold. The accused would initially gain the victim's trust by showing a genuine gold bead and then swap it with a fake chain made of yellow metal (brass), duping them of large sums of money.
According to the police, the gang was involved in a fraudulent incident reported on July 15, 2025, near Vaishnodevi Circle in Sabarmati. Two unidentified men approached a shopkeeper, claiming they had unearthed gold during excavation work in Rajasthan. After offering a genuine gold bead as bait, they handed over a brass necklace masquerading as gold and swindled the trader out of ₹6 lakh. A case was registered under Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Sabarmati police station.
Taking cognisance of the seriousness of the offence, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-2) Bharatkumar Rathod formed a special team, the team analysed CCTV footage, cross-referenced past criminal records, and used technical and human intelligence to identify the suspects.
Arrested accused
Gangaram Chamnaji of Jalore district, Rajasthan
Babulal Bhalaram Dolaji Vaghela of Kalol, Gandhinagar
Pannaram Bhimaji Dabhi of Thakkarbapanagar, Ahmedabad
The investigation revealed the gang was active across Gujarat, often posing as labourers or miners. Their modus operandi involved claiming accidental discovery of gold during excavation and convincing victims to buy it at a discounted rate. They first handed over a real gold bead to build credibility and then switched it with a chain of brass beads, disappearing with the cash.
Confessions and past offences
The accused confessed to multiple such frauds–
₹3 lakh duped from a victim near Kadodara Circle, Surat
₹1 lakh from a trader at Vaishnodevi Circle, Ahmedabad
₹50,000 in Banaskantha’s Dhanera market
₹1 lakh from Unjha vegetable market in Mehsana
In addition to the Sabarmati case, two of the accused — Babulal and Pannaram — were also wanted in a 2021 fraud case registered at Chandkheda police station.
Recovered items
The police have seized genuine gold beads, fake brass chains, ₹6 lakh in defrauded cash, and the vehicle used to commit the crimes. Police are also urging anyone who may have been duped similarly to come forward and assist in the investigation.
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