Hyderabad – Police arrested four men in Salarjung Colony, Langar Houz for trying to sell a fake tiger skin for ₹50 lakh.
The suspects are M Vijay Kishore (39), a driver from Bellampally, Chinta Shankar (63), a laborer from Jaipur’s Subash Nagar, Mirza Willayath Ali Baig Shakir (43), a driver from BS Makta, and K Bachi Reddy (62), a marble worker living in Tolichowki.
According to the Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force (West Zone), the group created a fake tiger skin by using the hide of a dead dog, then painting it to look real. They aimed to trick buyers into thinking it was genuine and sell it for a high price.
“They wanted to make quick money by selling it as a rare decorative item,” said a senior police officer. “They knew some people are willing to pay large sums for tiger skin.”
Vijay and Shankar brought the fake skin into the city. With the help of Wilayat and Bachi Reddy, they began looking for potential buyers.
Police acted after receiving a tip-off. They caught the gang red-handed while trying to finalize a deal.
Officers seized the fake skin, a car, and four mobile phones, all worth around ₹3.5 lakh.
The accused now face legal action for attempting to cheat buyers and for wildlife-related offenses. Authorities are urging the public to stay alert and report any suspicious wildlife trade.
