Investment Scam: Conmen Dupe Pune Businessman Of Rs 1.24 Cr For Investing In Oil Trade

PUNE: A 56-year-old fabricator from Pune registered a complaint in cyber cell claiming that an unidentified caller cheated him of Rs 1.24 crore on the pretext of investment in the oil products business. The caller lured the businessman by promising a huge return against his investment.

The businessman fell into his trap and was cheated of Rs 1.24 crores between 2018 to 2020, said the businessman in his complaint.

The unidentified caller contacted the victim on his mobile phone and told him about prospects of business opportunities in oil products. The cybercriminal lured him by saying that he would earn huge profits after investing in it.

After agreeing, he was sent all the details about the business and accomplishments of the company to win his confidence. The details shared with him were also forged.

Once the businessman was convinced, the gang asked him to deposit Rs 1.24 crores. They promised him to send the product once the payment is processed. The victim followed their instructions and paid Rs 1.24 crores electronically, in three instalments but never got the products in return.

The complainant said that he downloaded a business application to look for business opportunities on his mobile phone in 2018. He got a couple of messages from people who wanted to develop their business in collaboration with others. One of these messages was about oil seeds and oils of ayurvedic characteristics.

The suspects shared their business application contact details. They suggested to be registered in England with their phone numbers. It was decided to hold a meeting to discuss business plans, and we called on these numbers.

“There were two men in Pune who met me. They told me that in oil seeds and other related products there was a huge profit margin and they promised me a good return on investment. I agreed to their bank accounts and transferred money to them,” the victim said.

All the calls made by the businessman to the gang remained unanswered. It is then that he realised that he was cheated and contacted the police. Acting on it, police have registered a complaint and taken the contact details and bank details through which the businessman communicated.