Loni Kalbhor: A shocking fraud case has surfaced from the Loni Kalbhor area of Pune district, where a couple allegedly duped multiple individuals by luring them into investing in a nursery business with promises of high returns. The primary complainant alone was cheated of around ₹4 lakh, while the investigation suggests that several others were similarly targeted.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against the accused couple—Kishor Laxman Sathe and Archana Kishor Sathe. Both are currently absconding, and their mobile phones have reportedly been switched off for the past two months, making the search operation more difficult.
How the fraud was executed
According to the complaint, the victim, Mahendra Babu Jainjangde (39), was known to the main accused Kishor Sathe. Taking advantage of this familiarity, Sathe approached him in October 2025 with a proposal to start a nursery (plant business). He claimed the venture would yield significant profits and emphasized that the complainant’s wife had relevant experience, making it a promising investment.
Gaining his trust, the accused convinced the complainant to invest money. On November 1, 2025, the victim handed over ₹2 lakh via cheque and ₹2 lakh in cash, totaling ₹4 lakh. Initially, the accused assured that the business would begin soon, but over time, he kept delaying the process with various excuses.
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Truth emerges after cheque bounce
When the complainant demanded his money back, the accused issued a cheque of ₹2.20 lakh in December 2025. However, when deposited in the bank, the cheque bounced. This raised serious suspicions of fraud, prompting the victim to file a formal complaint.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused couple had not targeted just one individual but had allegedly cheated several others in the locality using similar business propositions.
More victims come forward
During the probe, names of other alleged victims surfaced, including Fakir Inamdar, Parvinder Digwa, Lucky Digwa, and Balasaheb Mhetre. These individuals reportedly invested money after being lured with promises of different business opportunities.
It is alleged that the couple used a pattern—presenting different business ideas to different people, building trust over time, collecting funds, and then disappearing without delivering on their promises.
The case has created concern in the local community, as the accused reportedly spent considerable time gaining the confidence of victims before executing the fraud.
Absconding for two months, search underway
Sources indicate that the accused couple has been untraceable for nearly two months. Their phones are switched off, and it is suspected that they may have fled Pune city. Authorities are conducting searches at possible hideouts and using technical surveillance methods to track their location.
Investigation continues, more revelations likely
The investigation is ongoing, and officials believe that more victims may come forward as the case unfolds. Once the accused are apprehended, further details about the extent of the fraud and possible links to a wider network are expected to emerge.
For now, the incident stands as a stark warning—how the lure of “easy profits” can lead to significant financial losses if due diligence is ignored.
