An Ahmedabad-based ethanol manufacturing company has alleged that it was cheated of ₹37.84 lakh after making payments for maize consignments that were never delivered, despite receiving truck photographs, lorry receipts, invoices and transportation details through WhatsApp.
The company, which operates a manufacturing facility in Kheda district, has filed a police complaint against two maize traders from Malegaon in Maharashtra. Investigators are examining payment records, banking transactions, invoices, transport documents and electronic communication linked to the case.
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Digital Documents Used to Secure Payments
According to the complaint, the company had been doing business with the two traders for nearly one and a half years. The suppliers allegedly approached the firm offering regular maize supplies and initially carried out transactions without any dispute.
Before payments were released, the traders reportedly shared photographs of loaded trucks, driver details, lorry receipts, weighbridge slips and invoices. The company continued placing larger orders after earlier transactions appeared to proceed smoothly.
The complaint states that one of the traders later informed the company that future supplies would be routed through another trading firm. The company then placed maize purchase orders worth nearly ₹71 lakh.
Maize Consignments Allegedly Did Not Arrive
Investigators said the traders allegedly sent six invoices, transport records, truck photographs and other supporting documents through WhatsApp. Based on these documents, the company transferred around ₹35.50 lakh on January 11, 2025.
However, the promised consignments did not reach the ethanol plant. When company representatives contacted the suppliers, they allegedly admitted that the goods had not been dispatched.
Representatives of the company later travelled to Malegaon and met the traders, who reportedly assured them that the maize would either be delivered or the money refunded. According to the complaint, only a small quantity of maize worth about ₹6.51 lakh was eventually supplied.
Bounced Cheques Under Investigation
As the dispute grew, the traders allegedly issued several post-dated cheques to settle the outstanding dues. When deposited, all the cheques were dishonoured. Bank records reportedly cited payment restrictions and account-related issues.
The complainant alleged that repeated demands for delivery of the remaining maize or repayment of the outstanding amount were ignored. The traders allegedly later refused to return either the goods or the money.
Police have registered a case against the two traders under charges related to cheating and criminal breach of trust. Investigators are now examining financial records, invoices, transport documents and WhatsApp communication to establish the sequence of events and determine the extent of the alleged fraud.
