A five-member gang posing as policemen duped three Mumbai-based businessmen of Rs 11 lakh at Minampilai, about 15 km from here, police said.
The trio had come here yesterday to buy some land and were staying at a hotel. While they were on their way to the site in a car, two vehicles with the 'policemen' intercepted them and said they were conducting a routine check.
They 'seized' the cash and a cheque, asked them to get into one of their cars and follow the other car.
When they reached Salem, they were forced out of the vehicle and the gang sped away.
The businessmen lodged a complaint with police in Kalipatti rural area today.
