Chennai police have arrested three Iranian nationals, aged between 23 and 28, for a series of chain-snatching incidents targeting elderly women. The gang, operating in multiple states, had looted 27 sovereigns of gold from six women in the city. One of the suspects, Jafar Ghulam Hussain (28), was shot dead by police, while the other two—Salman Hussain and Misam Amjid—are in custody.During interrogation, Salman Hussain revealed that their gang had a well-planned strategy. They invested ₹1 lakh per heist, expecting returns of up to ₹20 lakh from stolen jewelry and cash. Their network included a specialized group for melting and selling gold and a legal team to secure bail if caught.
The gang, originally from Iran, had settled in Maharashtra’s Ambivali as refugees. They split into five groups and operated across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh before returning home. Many of their members have extensive criminal records, with Jafar alone having 150 cases against him across multiple states.
The gang scouted locations in Chennai before selecting elderly women as prime targets. Their plan included quick escapes via flights, making the city an ideal choice. With growing concerns over organized crime, authorities are intensifying their crackdown on such networks to ensure public safety.