A case of cheating and criminal breach of trust involving diamond-studded gold jewellery worth around ₹11 lakh has come to light in the Walkeshwar area of south Mumbai. The Gamdevi Police have registered a case against Vaibhav Paresh Thakkar (35), a businessman and acquaintance of the complainant, for allegedly duping a jeweller by falsely claiming that the jewellery was required for a Karnataka minister.
The complainant, Hemang Shah, is a jewellery trader dealing in gold and silver ornaments and is the director of a private firm, Super Carats Gem Art Private Limited. Shah resides with his family in the Walkeshwar area. According to the police, Thakkar had been known to Shah for the past two years and shared friendly relations with him. During this period, Thakkar had purchased jewellery from Shah on multiple occasions and had made timely payments, which earned his trust.
A few months ago, Thakkar allegedly approached Shah and claimed that a minister from Karnataka was interested in purchasing high-value gold jewellery of various designs. On this pretext, he requested diamond-studded gold ornaments, assuring Shah that the payment would be made after the sale or that the jewellery would be returned if the deal did not materialise.
Trusting him, Shah handed over diamond-studded gold jewellery worth approximately ₹11 lakh. Thakkar reportedly promised to complete the transaction within a week and left with the ornaments. When Shah followed up after a week, Thakkar claimed that the jewellery had been sold and that the payment would be made soon. However, he neither paid the amount nor returned the jewellery within the promised time.
Despite repeated attempts to contact him, Shah received no response, and Thakkar eventually blocked his calls. During subsequent inquiries, Shah learned that Thakkar is a habitual offender and has allegedly cheated several other jewellers using similar methods.
Following this, Shah approached the Gamdevi Police and lodged a complaint. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Thakkar. The accused is currently absconding, and a search operation has been launched to trace and arrest him, police officials said.