In a shocking fraud case from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, two local businessmen fell victim to a cunning scam promising partnership in a Tanzanian gold mine. The con artist duped them of nearly ₹2 crore before police swooped in, arresting him at Mumbai’s airport as he attempted to flee to Vietnam.
The mastermind behind this elaborate scheme is Yash Rajesh Shah, who targeted Raipur traders Samarth Bardia and Mukul Chopra. According to police, Shah contacted Samarth through an online platform in 2024, dazzling him with tales of owning a lucrative gold mine in Tanzania. He promised a 50% stake in the operation, reeling in Samarth’s investment of ₹1.9 crore.
Shah’s charisma peaked when he visited Raipur in March 2024, sharing detailed ‘information’ about the mine. Mukul, Samarth’s brother-in-law, joined the meetings, and soon both were convinced. They even traveled to Tanzania with Shah to ‘inspect’ the site, sealing their fate as they transferred funds to his account post-visit.
But the dream turned nightmare overnight. Once the money hit his account, Shah vanished, dodging calls and communications. Investigations revealed no mine existed—all documents were forged. The victims filed a complaint at Raipur’s Civil Lines police station on January 22, 2025.
Raipur police’s relentless probe led them to Mumbai, where intelligence tipped them off about Shah’s flight plans. In a dramatic operation, they apprehended him at the airport, preventing his escape. ‘This was a sophisticated fraud exploiting greed for quick riches,’ said a senior officer. The case underscores the dangers of unverified overseas investments, with authorities now probing Shah’s wider network.