The Ahmedabad City Police have successfully dismantled a fraudulent medical operation. This criminal network specifically targeted vulnerable senior citizens with a deceptive physiotherapy scheme.
How the Elaborate Scam Worked
Members of this Rajasthan-based gang conducted careful reconnaissance. They frequented locations like hospitals, markets, and religious places where elderly people often gather. There, they would approach individuals, strike up conversations, and identify those with walking difficulties or other ailments.
One gang member would then recommend a so-called "expert physiotherapist" who could supposedly cure their problems. They provided a contact number to the trusting victim.
The Deceptive Home Visit
Upon receiving a call, two other gang members would visit the elderly person's home. One posed as the physiotherapist, and the other acted as his assistant. They performed a fake medical examination.
The fraudsters claimed the patient had "harmful toxins" or "black blood" in their body. They promised to extract this substance to provide relief. For this bogus treatment, they demanded an exorbitant fee of Rs 7,000 per drop of the so-called black blood they would remove.
Using a large syringe, they pretended to draw out this non-existent substance. They then showed the victim the syringe, claiming it contained the extracted toxins, and immediately demanded payment.
Bank Withdrawals and Police Intervention
A fourth gang member would then accompany the victim to their bank. In one specific case uncovered by police, this person helped the elderly victim withdraw Rs 4 lakh on one day and Rs 2.7 lakh on the following day. The gang took this money as payment for their fake treatment.
The Banking Surveillance That Led to the Bust
The breakthrough came through a proactive banking surveillance initiative. Ahmedabad's Cybercrime Police had instructed local banks to monitor unusual transactions involving senior citizens. They asked to be alerted about any large or suspicious withdrawals that could indicate financial fraud.
This system proved effective when a bank manager noticed concerning activity. An elderly customer was making substantial withdrawals from a Fixed Deposit over two consecutive days. The manager suspected the customer might be under some form of "digital arrest" or coercion and immediately informed the police.
Inspector JP Thakor responded to the alert and visited the bank branch. Reviewing CCTV footage, investigators spotted a suspicious individual loitering near the victim during the withdrawals. This observation provided the crucial lead.
The Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Police tracked down and apprehended the person seen in the CCTV footage. This individual, identified as Mohammad Amjad Mohammad Mehmood, was the gang member who had accompanied the victim to the bank.
Upon his arrest, the full extent of the racket became clear. Police recovered the entire Rs 6.7 lakh that had been withdrawn from the victim's account. The investigation revealed the gang's methodical approach to targeting the elderly.
Three other gang members remain at large and are being sought by authorities. These include Mohammad Aryan, who initially approached victims and recommended the fake physiotherapist; Mohammad Shaikh alias Noman, who played the role of the physiotherapist; and Mohammad Sameer, who acted as the doctor's assistant. All accused individuals are residents of Rajasthan.
The Ahmedabad Police have described this operation as a "medical quackery racket." They emphasize that this case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between financial institutions and law enforcement to protect vulnerable citizens from sophisticated financial fraud.
