New Delhi: Police in Maharashtra have registered a case against two individuals accused of allegedly cheating 16 investors of approximately ₹2.42 crore through an investment scheme that promised unusually high monthly returns. The case was registered at the Mahatma Phule Police Station in Kalyan following complaints that the accused collected large sums of money by assuring investors of returns ranging from 5% to 10% per month before allegedly discontinuing payments and shutting down their office.
According to the complaint, the accused have been identified as Rohit Survade and Pratik Gaikwad, who allegedly operated an investment firm named The Stockton Consultancy from the Chikanghar area of Kalyan West. Police have registered the case under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Protection of Interests of Depositors (MPID) Act. The investigation is currently underway.
The complaint was filed by Laxman Nikunj Sojitra, a tea stall owner from Kalyan West. He alleged that the two accused regularly visited his tea stall near Bhanusagar Cinema and gradually gained his confidence by introducing what they described as a profitable investment scheme. They allegedly claimed that investors would receive monthly interest of 5% to 10% on their deposits.
Believing the representations, the complainant stated that he transferred ₹15.50 lakh to bank accounts provided by the accused between March 2022 and June 2026. According to the complaint, the accused initially paid monthly returns for about ten months, strengthening the complainant’s confidence in the scheme. However, the payments allegedly stopped thereafter, and the consultancy office was later found closed.
The complainant further alleged that because he had initially received regular returns, he unknowingly introduced other customers visiting his tea stall to the investment scheme. Several of them subsequently invested substantial amounts after being assured of consistent monthly profits.
Police said a total of 16 investors have so far approached authorities, collectively alleging losses of around ₹2.42 crore. The complainants include individuals who allegedly invested amounts ranging from ₹1 lakh to more than ₹74 lakh. Among the larger alleged investments are ₹74.65 lakh, ₹25 lakh, ₹15 lakh, ₹13 lakh, ₹12 lakh, ₹10.77 lakh, and ₹10 lakh, besides several other deposits made by different investors.
Investigators are examining bank records, financial transactions, and investment-related documents to determine how the funds were collected and utilized. Authorities are also attempting to identify whether the alleged operation involved additional associates, shell entities, or other financial channels used to receive investor money.
Police are further verifying whether similar complaints have been made by other investors and whether the alleged fraud extends beyond Kalyan. The financial trail, digital records, and communication between the accused and investors are also being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Financial crime experts have repeatedly cautioned investors against schemes promising unusually high or guaranteed monthly returns. They advise verifying the registration and regulatory status of investment firms, reviewing documentation carefully, and exercising caution before transferring funds to entities offering returns that appear significantly higher than prevailing market rates.
Police said the investigation remains in progress, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the probe.
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.
