Bengaluru, March 23 -- In a striking twist to a high-profile gold smuggling probe, investigators have found that Kannada actress Ranya Rao, an accused in a multi-crore racket, was earlier duped of over Rs 2 crore in a botched up African gold deal, a development that investigators say allegedly shaped the syndicate's later operations.
According to findings by central agencies, Ranya and her associate had initially attempted to source gold directly from Africa through a Uganda-based agent, beginning with a trial consignment of 5 kg. The deal, however, turned fraudulent after advance payments and additional charges were made, with no delivery of gold.
Officials said the failed transaction marked a turning point, prompting the network to aban...