Fake toll scam: Fake toll plaza in Gujarat defrauds govt, cheats commuters for 1.5 years

Fake toll plaza in Gujarat: We have always heard of a big haul fake scams or rackets in full-packed action blockbuster films only. But have you ever thought the reel can turn into real and such big rackets scams can also take place in India? Yes, you are guessing it right. 

A group of strongmen of Gujarat defrauded government officials by operating a bogus toll plaza on private land and bypassing the highway on the Bamanbore-Kutch national highway between Morbi and Wankaner highway in Gujarat for over 1.5 years. 

The fake toll plaza cheated commuters by charging half the price at their "toll booth" for one and a half years, defrauding several people, the police, and top government officials in the district.

As per the statement by manager of the Gujarat’s fake toll plaza, they looted the people, private landowners, officials by extorting thousands of rupees every single day for over 1.5 years and remain unnoticed. 

To avoid from being caught and unnoticed, the group working the racket used to divert traffic away from the actual route of the highway, which passed through land owned by the White House Ceramic Company, a closed factory, and through Varghasia village.

The scammers lured commuters by charging half the price of the regular toll plaza. According to the details, the fake toll racket charged between Rs 20 and Rs 200 to car owners and heavy truck drivers in addition to the actual toll tax of Rs 110 to Rs 595. 

As per the reports, the scammers collected more than $8.9 million (Rs 75 crore) in illegal taxes from commuters.

Taking swift action into the scam case, Wankaner City police registered an FIR against  Amarshi Patel, the owner of the private White House Ceramic Company, and his aides Vanraj Singh Jhala, Harvijay Singh Jhala, Dharmendra Singh Jhala, Yuvraj Singh Jhala, and others.

- With inputs from agencies

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