Follow us on Google News
Camri, Uttar Pradesh — Police in Uttar Pradesh have registered a case against a local dealer and his associates following allegations that they swindled nearly ₹8 lakh from villagers by promising to arrange farm equipment and a truck partnership.
The complaints, filed after a court directive, centre on two separate incidents.
FCRF Academy Invites Legal Experts to Shape India’s First Comprehensive Cyber Law Certification
Promise of a Combine Harvester
According to Virendra, a combine harvester driver, a local man introduced him to dealer Balvinder Cheema in Bilaspur. Cheema, along with his employee, allegedly took ₹7.95 lakh — partly in cash and partly through instalments — with the assurance of delivering a new combine harvester at a discounted price. Months later, neither the machine was delivered nor the money returned, Virendra said.
Truck Partnership Scheme
In another case, Sharif Ahmed, a resident of a nearby village, alleged that he was persuaded to invest ₹4.5 lakh in a supposed partnership to purchase a truck. The vehicle was never bought, and the money was not repaid.
Court Intervention
Police launched investigations only after a local court ordered the registration of cases, following repeated failed attempts at a settlement between the parties.
Expert View
Cybercrime and financial fraud expert Professor Triveni Singh, a former IPS officer, told :
“Such scams are increasingly common in semi-urban and rural areas. Fraudsters exploit trust, offering false contracts and empty promises. It is essential that buyers demand official receipts and make payments only through authorised channels to protect themselves.”
A Wider Trend
Incidents of fraud linked to agricultural machinery and heavy vehicles have been on the rise across the state. Dozens of farmers have reported similar losses in 2023 and 2024, raising concerns about financial awareness and consumer protection in rural markets.
