NEW DELHI | When Arjun Arora was introduced to a man who claimed to run a thriving meat export business with connections in Dubai, the proposition appeared credible. The businessman, Mohsin Mohammed, projected himself as an established exporter operating at scale, according to the police complaint. He spoke of expanding operations, rising global demand and the opportunity to participate in what he described as a profitable venture.
For Arora, the investment represented not only financial opportunity but entry into an international trade network. According to investigators, Mohammed assured him of high returns and steady growth, invoking overseas supply chains and foreign currency transactions to bolster his credibility.
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But the enterprise, police say, existed largely on paper.
Last week, officers from Delhi Police arrested the 36-year-old Mohammed from New Rajendra Nagar, accusing him of orchestrating a scheme that extracted approximately ₹1.37 crore from Arora and his family under false pretenses.
The Mechanics of the Alleged Fraud
Investigators say Mohammed persuaded Arora to transfer ₹67.70 lakh from his father’s bank account to support what was described as a meat export expansion. The alleged scheme escalated further when Arora was convinced to arrange $80,000 in Dubai through associates linked to Mohammed.
Police allege that the accused created a sustained illusion of legitimacy. He reportedly issued cheques drawn on two private banks to reassure the complainant and delay suspicion, despite allegedly knowing that sufficient funds were not available in those accounts.
Such tactics — issuing cheques without backing funds — are often used in financial fraud cases to buy time and project solvency. By the time the cheques fail, the trail of money can become more difficult to trace.
Officers say the accused absconded after securing the funds and avoided participating in the investigation for a period. Acting on a tip-off, a police team located and apprehended him on February 20 at a residential block in central Delhi.
A Pattern Under Scrutiny
The arrest has prompted renewed attention on what authorities describe as a recurring pattern. According to police, Mohammed had previously been named in a 2021 case registered by the Economic Offences Wing, suggesting a history of alleged financial misconduct.
Officials are now examining whether other individuals may have been targeted through similar representations of export-based ventures. The meat export industry, which operates across complex supply chains and international markets, can provide a veneer of authenticity for fraudulent claims, investigators say.
Cross-border transactions, especially those involving foreign currency transfers, can further complicate recovery efforts. Authorities are currently attempting to trace the financial trail and identify any co-accused who may have facilitated the alleged transactions.
The Broader Landscape of Investment Scams
The case underscores the persistent vulnerability of private investors to schemes that blend legitimate business sectors with fabricated credentials. Export-driven industries, particularly those linked to international markets such as Dubai, often evoke credibility and growth potential.
In recent years, Delhi’s Economic Offences Wing has registered multiple cases involving individuals who projected large-scale operations, only for those claims to unravel under scrutiny. Experts note that fraudsters frequently rely on personal networks, staged documentation and incremental financial commitments to secure trust.
Police officials have said efforts are underway to recover the cheated amount and to determine the full extent of the alleged deception. For now, Mohammed remains in custody, and investigators continue to probe whether the purported export business ever existed beyond the promises made to investors.
The case adds to a growing body of financial crime investigations in the capital, reflecting the challenges of regulating private investment arrangements that operate outside formal, heavily monitored financial institutions.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
