In a dramatic twist to a reported robbery, Gautam Nagar police on Sunday exposed a staged loot by a collection agent who had lost his company’s money in online games and betting. The accused, Aditya Arya (23), along with three accomplices, has been arrested for orchestrating the fake crime to cover up the loss.
Aditya had approached Gautam Nagar police on Wednesday evening, claiming that two bike-borne assailants stabbed him and looted ₹70,000 in cash along with his mobile phone near Karod Mandi while he was returning to his office in Bhanpur. He said his colleague, Anil Jaat, witnessed the incident and rushed him to the hospital.
However, suspicions arose when police discovered that Aditya had only collected ₹1,300 from the market that day. Intensive investigations, including the scrutiny of footage from over 100 CCTV cameras, eventually led to Aditya’s confession. He admitted to staging the robbery with the help of his friend Pradeep Yadav (24) and two others — Aman Khan (21) and Asif Ali (19) from Jehangirabad.
According to station incharge Mahendra Singh Thakur, Pradeep Yadav is a known criminal with 14 cases, including murder and attempted murder, already registered against him. Background checks on the other accused are underway.
The Modus Operandi
Interrogation revealed that Aditya had lost ₹70,000 of the company’s money in online betting. To escape consequences, he, along with colleague Deepansh Yogi, approached Pradeep Yadav to help stage a robbery. Pradeep introduced them to Asif and Aman, who agreed to carry out the mock crime for ₹3,500.
Following the plan, the duo attacked Aditya with a small blade to cause minor injuries and fled with his mobile phone and bag. The “robbery” was deliberately executed in the presence of Aditya’s colleague to make it appear genuine and convince the company management.
Aditya had instructed his aides that he would only file a written complaint, not a formal FIR. However, with the Prime Minister scheduled to visit the city, police took the matter seriously and registered an FIR, launching a full-fledged investigation that eventually cracked the case.
The incident highlights how desperation linked to online gambling can lead individuals to commit serious offences, putting both themselves and public safety at risk.
