ROYAPURAM WOMAN INSPECTOR SHEELA MARY PLACED UNDER SUSPENSION
She Was Booked in ₹20 Crore Gold Coin Fraud Case
Chennai city police inspector Sheela Mary was placed under suspension by the Joint Commissioner of Police of North Chennai.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) police registered a case against a woman police inspector in connection with the ₹20 crore gold coin investment fraud and intensified the investigation after arresting the scheme’s promoter. Officials are examining allegations that the inspector promoted the investment scheme and collected money from investors, including police personnel and their families.
According to the investigation, Prabhumani, a relative of Inspector Sheela Mary of the Royapuram All Women Police Station, introduced an investment scheme through a WhatsApp group in 2023. The scheme promised gold coins at prices below the prevailing market rate and assured monthly returns on deposits made by investors. A company was also established to operate the scheme.
Investigators said Inspector Sheela Mary promoted the scheme among personnel serving in the Chennai City Police and encouraged investments. Members of police families residing in police quarters in North Chennai, along with a Deputy Commissioner, an Assistant Commissioner, and many police personnel, invested substantial amounts in the scheme.
Police further alleged that Prabhumani, accompanied by Inspector Sheela Mary in her official vehicle, distributed gold coins at discounted prices during the initial stages, increasing public confidence and attracting more investors. However, after collecting large sums of money, the organisers failed to supply the promised gold coins or provide the assured returns.
Following a complaint lodged by a bank employee who claimed to have been cheated, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered a case claiming that Prabhumani and Inspector Sheela Mary collected more than ₹20 crore through the scheme and defrauded investors. The case was registered under the supervision of EOW Superintendent of police (SP) Kanageswari, and Inspector Sheela Mary’s name was included in the FIR.
Prabhumani was arrested on Thursday and is being interrogated. Inspector Sheela Mary was also questioned by the Economic Offences Wing.
Meanwhile, Chennai City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj ordered a separate departmental inquiry into the complaints against Inspector Sheela Mary.
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