A prominent case of fraud has come to light in Goa with the arrest of Mirza Sheraz Alibaigh, a 38-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from Hyderabad, by Panaji Police. According to authorities, Alibaigh cheated a local city jeweller by presenting a fake RTGS bank transfer screenshot, thereby obtaining gold ornaments valued at ₹1.41 lakh. He managed to deceive the jeweller into believing the payment was genuine before taking possession of the jewellery.
The breakthrough in the case came after the jeweller discovered that the payment had not been credited, prompting a police complaint and subsequent investigation. Alibaigh was tracked down and apprehended in Candolim, a popular locality in Goa.
During further investigation, police uncovered that Alibaigh was not a first-time offender. The accused was reportedly wanted in connection with nine similar fraud cases registered in states outside Goa. Law enforcement agencies established a pattern in his modus operandi—posing as a trustworthy customer, making high-value purchases, and using fraudulent payment confirmations to dupe business owners. The stolen jewellery was also recovered from him during the arrest.
This arrest underscores growing concerns over sophisticated financial frauds targeting small businesses and the need for heightened vigilance and verification before handing over costly merchandise. Police have urged jewellery shops and retailers to double-check digital payment confirmations directly with their banks instead of relying solely on customer-provided screenshots.
The case also points to improved interstate police cooperation, as Goa authorities collaborated