By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: A major gold-related fraud has been reported in Ichhra, where a well-known jeweller has allegedly disappeared after taking gold worth millions of rupees from several shop owners.
According to affected jewellers, the accused, identified as Sheikh Waseem Akhtar, was a trusted figure in the local gold market and would frequently deal with shopkeepers for the exchange and supply of gold. They claim that over time, he collected nearly 20 kilograms of gold from multiple jewellers under the pretext of business transactions—but has now gone missing.
Shop owners say they attempted to contact him repeatedly, but his phone remains switched off, and his shop has been found locked for several days. The sudden disappearance has triggered panic and alarm across the market, with traders expressing serious concern over the scale of the alleged fraud.
The affected jewellers have submitted a written complaint at the Ichhra Police Station, requesting immediate action to recover their gold and arrest the accused. They have appealed to senior police officials to ensure a transparent and swift investigation due to the high value of the case and its impact on the local gold trade.
SP Model Town, Shehar Bano Naqvi, confirmed that police have launched an inquiry into the matter. She said investigators are examining all aspects of the incident, including financial records, CCTV footage, and witness statements. According to her, the police are pursuing multiple lines of investigation and will proceed based on evidence collected from the market and individuals associated with the accused.
The incident has caused unrest among jewellers in Lahore, many of whom fear similar scams if strict action is not taken. Traders are urging authorities to enhance monitoring mechanisms within the gold market to prevent such crimes in the future.
