Rowdy Sheeter Nabbed in Andhra Pradesh for Elaborate Rice-Pulling Scam
In a significant crackdown on fraudulent activities, the Talupula police in Sri Sathya Sai district have arrested a notorious local rowdy sheeter, Chinthakunta Krishna Reddy, popularly known as Dikki Babu. The arrest, made on Sunday, stems from a deceptive rice-pulling scam that duped a victim out of Rs 10 lakh.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
According to Kadiri DSP Sivanarayana Swamy, the accused targeted Venugopal Reddy from Kadapa, luring him with claims of possessing a "magical" brass vessel. Dikki Babu falsely asserted that this vessel could generate an astounding Rs 2 crore through rice-pulling—a mythical practice often associated with scams. Convinced by these promises, Venugopal Reddy paid Rs 10 lakh in two instalments as an initial investment.
When Dikki Babu subsequently demanded an additional Rs 10 lakh, Venugopal grew suspicious and requested a refund of his money. In response, the accused handed over a brass vessel, assuring Venugopal that he would assist in selling it for the promised Rs 2 crore. However, as months elapsed without any progress, Venugopal pressured Dikki Babu to take back the vessel and return the funds.
Escalation to Threats and Captivity
Instead of complying, Dikki Babu allegedly escalated the situation by threatening Venugopal at knifepoint and holding him captive. During this ordeal, he demanded an extra Rs 10 lakh from the victim. Friends of Venugopal managed to secure his release after negotiating and paying Rs 3 lakh to the accused.
Following his escape, Venugopal promptly lodged a formal complaint at the Talupula police station. This led to a swift investigation and the eventual arrest of Dikki Babu, highlighting the police's commitment to tackling such crimes.
Seizure of Evidence and Items
During the arrest, police conducted a thorough search and seized multiple items from the accused, including:
- Five copper vessels
- Three mobile phones
- Rs 1 lakh in cash
- An SUV vehicle
These seizures are expected to aid in further investigations and potentially uncover additional victims or fraudulent schemes linked to Dikki Babu.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by rice-pulling scams in the region, often exploiting superstitions and greed. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to prevent such financial frauds.
