The Dindoshi police have arrested four members of a Gujarat-based fraud syndicate that allegedly cheated wholesale traders by posing as genuine bulk buyers, taking delivery of goods worth lakhs of rupees, issuing fake cheques, and then disappearing without making payment.
The arrest came following a complaint filed by a supplier based in the Masjid Bunder area last month. According to the complainant, the accused took the supply of the goods worth Rs 3.24 lakh but never made the payment. He claimed that the accused issued a cheque to him, which bounced. The supplier further claimed that the accused threatened him with consequences when he demanded payment.
Gujarat to Mumbai
Police revealed that three of the four accused are residents of Gujarat. The gang operated in a highly organised manner, staying in hotels across Mumbai, while the alleged mastermind, Mehul Jagani, had rented an apartment in Mira Road that served as a temporary base.
Modus operandi
The gang would rent commercial premises in different localities and set up temporary offices under various company names and also recruit employees. They would then approach wholesale markets and place large orders for goods. Initially, the accused would assure traders that payment would be made either in cash or through online transfer upon delivery. However, once the goods arrived, they would hand over cheques instead. By the time suppliers discovered that the cheques had bounced, the gang had already vacated the premises and vanished with the merchandise.
Police action
Under the guidance of DCP Gajanan Rajmane (Zone XII), a team led by Senior PI Mahendra Shinde and API Om Totawar of the detection team conducted a detailed investigation into the case. The police apprehended two of the accused at a hotel in Mira Road and the other two in Malwani. All the accused have been remanded in police custody until June 5, and further investigation is underway to recover the merchandise, said senior inspector Mahendra Shinde.
The accused
The arrested accused have been identified as Mehul Jagani, 43; Gopal Raichura, 30; Nirav Lakhani, 38; and Ehsaan Khan. Police sources said Jagani is the alleged mastermind of the gang and has a long history of similar fraud cases registered in both Mumbai and Gujarat.
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