VIJAYAWADA: Sleuths of the Commissioner’s Task Force (CTF) on Tuesday arrested a gold trader for selling fake nails of tigers and other wild animals, and seized items worth Rs15 lakh from his shop.
The accused was identified as Matta Narasimha Rao (38) of Chilakaluripet in Guntur district. He set up Sri Vijaya Lakshmi Diamonds shop at Raja Gopalachari Street under Governorpet Police Station limits in 2009.
Narasimha Rao used to sell precious stones, pearls, corals and black beads. In order to make a quick buck by cashing in on the sentiments of customers, he started selling fake nails of tigers and other animals claiming them as genuine.
Upon learning that the trader was cheating customers, a team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) G Rajiv Kumar conducted a sudden inspection in the shop and seized fake nails worth `15 lakh.
“Narasimha Rao earned lakhs of rupees by convincing his customers that wearing nails of tigers and other animals would bring them good luck,” said ACP G Rajiv Kumar.
Meanwhile, the Forest department officials collected the samples of nails for testing. “Severe action will be taken against the accused and the suppliers from whom he is procuring the nails,” said ACP Rajiv Kumar.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Forest Act and the accused was taken into custody.