Telangana Police have arrested a suspected investment fraud kingpin in a case that may involve nearly 10,000 investors nationwide.
Who Has Been Arrested?
Police arrested 69-year-old Raj Kumar Roy, also known as Raj Kumar Kailash Roy, a resident of Ahmedabad, in connection with an alleged investment fraud involving Unique Mercantile India Limited and Unique SMCS.
Investigators allege that Roy served as managing director and whole-time director of Unique Mercantile India Limited. Officials estimate that nearly 10,000 investors across India may have been affected, although the number of victims and total financial losses remain unconfirmed.
Preliminary questioning in Telangana’s Adilabad district has indicated transactions worth approximately ₹7 crore to ₹8 crore involving nearly 2,000 members. Police believe the alleged losses across Telangana could run into hundreds of crores, but have emphasised that these estimates remain provisional.
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How Did the Investment Schemes Work?
According to police, the companies operated through agents who approached prospective investors with various financial schemes. These included chit funds, fixed deposits and monthly or annual payment plans. Investors were allegedly assured that their principal would be returned with additional profits after the maturity period. Some investors were also reportedly promised plots in developing areas as an additional incentive.
Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan said the alleged operation involved collecting regular deposits and instalments through agents. Complaints emerged when several investors reportedly failed to receive their principal, promised returns or allotted plots after their schemes matured.
Investigators are examining whether money collected in one location was used to meet payment obligations elsewhere or diverted into property and business investments.
How Far Has the Investigation Spread?
Police have identified 14 cases linked to the companies in Telangana. Cases have been registered at Adilabad One Town, Two Town, Mavala, Adilabad Rural and Talamadugu police stations. Investigators are also verifying complaints and case details from Medak, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Rajanna Sircilla.
The financial investigation extends to suspected investments in hotels, land and plots across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, West Bengal, Jaipur and Maharashtra. Authorities are examining claims involving approximately 400 plots in Miyapur and nearly 200 acres near AIIMS Bibinagar. Ownership records, property documents and the sources of funds are being scrutinised.
Who Else Is Under Investigation?
Police are searching for Chandrasekhar, an alleged zonal manager of Unique SMCS in Hyderabad, who remains at large. Investigators are examining the roles of agents, company officials and other associates. They are also investigating allegations involving collections for proposed medical ventures, hotels and overseas employment arrangements.
SP Mahajan has urged affected investors to approach police with receipts, bank statements, agreements and agent details. These records are expected to help investigators establish the network’s operations, determine financial losses and trace the collected funds.
The case highlights the risks associated with investment arrangements that promise attractive returns and property benefits without assured repayment. With 14 cases identified in Telangana and possible links across several states, investigators face the task of tracing funds, verifying assets and establishing the actual scale of investor losses.
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