Hyderabad 'hidden treasure' fraud: 4 arrested, ₹1 crore cheated from 11 victims
Synopsis
Four men in Hyderabad allegedly built an elaborate con around 'Gupta Nidhulu' — buried treasure — planting fake gold-coated coins and coal in victims' homes before vanishing. Eleven people lost a combined ₹1 crore. The scam's props: puja material, duplicate coins, and a fleet of vehicles to move between targets.
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad Police arrested four men on 10 August for running a hidden-treasure fraud across multiple city areas.
The gang allegedly cheated 11 victims of a combined ₹1 crore by planting fake gold-coated coins and coal.
Accused identified as Mohd Munawar , Syed Ali Ashraf , Mohd Haji , and Mohd Salman .
Police seized 25 fake gold coins , two four-wheelers , an auto-rickshaw, two motorcycles, and puja material.
Case registered under BNS sections 318(4), 351(2), and 61(2) r/w 3(5) at Rajendra Nagar Police Station.
Police have warned the public against believing claims of underground or hidden treasure.
Hyderabad Police have arrested four persons for running a fraudulent scheme in which they duped innocent residents by falsely claiming they could locate hidden treasure — locally known as Gupta Nidhulu — buried beneath their homes. The arrests were made on Monday, 10 August, following a joint operation by the Commissioner's Task Force, Shamshabad Zone, and the Rajendra Nagar Police.
How the Racket Operated
According to K.S. Rao, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Taskforce, the accused would approach unsuspecting residents claiming to possess special knowledge of underground treasure hidden in residential premises. After gaining the victims' trust, they would dig the ground and plant a sack containing coal along with duplicate gold-coated coins. They then told victims it would take time to 'convert the coal into gold' — and promptly absconded.
In total, the gang allegedly cheated 11 people across different areas of Hyderabad to the tune of approximately ₹1 crore.
Accused Identified
The four accused have been identified as Mohd Munawar, Syed Ali Ashraf, Mohd Haji, and Mohd Salman. Police said the prime accused, Munawar, was previously engaged in car denting and painting work. Finding his income insufficient for household expenses, he allegedly devised the scheme and recruited his associates, who reportedly joined with the intention of earning easy money.
Seized Items
Authorities recovered a significant haul from the accused, including two four-wheelers, one auto-rickshaw, two motorcycles, four mobile phones, 25 fake gold coins, coal, soil, and puja material. The vehicles and props paint a picture of a well-organised, mobile operation capable of targeting victims across multiple localities.
Legal Action and Public Warning
A case has been registered against the four at Rajendra Nagar Police Station under BNS sections 318(4), 351(2), and 61(2) read with 3(5). Police have noted that similar fraudsters have been increasingly active across streets, villages, and towns in the region, making false promises of underground treasure to gullible residents.
Authorities have issued a public advisory urging citizens not to believe or engage with anyone making such claims, and to report suspicious individuals to the nearest police station. With the gang's wide operational footprint — spanning multiple vehicles and localities — investigators are likely to probe whether additional victims have yet to come forward.
Point of View
But without sustained community awareness campaigns, the next iteration of this scam is already being planned somewhere. The seizure of multiple vehicles also signals this was not a small-time operation — investigators should examine whether the network extends beyond these four accused.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 'hidden treasure' fraud in Hyderabad?
It was a con scheme in which four accused approached residents claiming they could locate treasure buried beneath their homes. They planted fake gold-coated coins and coal, collected money from victims, and fled before the deception was discovered.
How much money did the accused cheat from victims?
The four accused allegedly cheated 11 people of approximately ₹1 crore across different areas of Hyderabad, according to police.
Who are the accused arrested by Hyderabad Police?
The four accused are Mohd Munawar, Syed Ali Ashraf, Mohd Haji, and Mohd Salman. Munawar is identified as the prime accused, who reportedly conceived the scheme after finding his income from car denting and painting work insufficient.
What items did police seize from the accused?
Police seized two four-wheelers, one auto-rickshaw, two motorcycles, four mobile phones, 25 fake gold coins, coal, soil, and puja material — all used as props in the fraudulent scheme.
How can citizens protect themselves from such fraud?
Hyderabad Police have advised the public not to believe anyone claiming to locate hidden or underground treasure, and to report such individuals to the nearest police station immediately. No legitimate individual can locate buried treasure through 'special knowledge'.
