Bhubaneswar: Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhubaneswar has arrested two persons from Mumbai for duping a businessman in Odisha of Rs 2 crore.
The EOW made the arrest following investigation into a complaint filed by the businessman, Ashok Kumar Singh, against fraudsters identified as Rakesh Kumar Girija Shankar Pandey, Sarman Singh Tomar and seven others.
It was ascertained during investigation that the complainant was doing real estate business in Odisha. As his business was severely affected during COVID pandemic, he was in need of funds. When he could not arrange any bank finance for his business, he was looking for the funds from other sources.
In June, 2021, Ashok came in contact with Rakesh Pandey @ Rakesh Kumar Girija Pandey, who assured him of arranging a loan of Rs 100 crore from a renowned private finance company. However, Rakesh told him to pay Rs 2 crore towards processing charge for the loan.
Subsequently, Ashok went to Mumbai and arranged Rs 2 crore with the help of his business partner and paid the amount to the accused persons. Later, he received many e-mails promising sanction of loan after following some procedures and documentation. But Ashok neither received the promised loan amount of Rs 100 crore nor got back Rs 2 crore given as processing fees.
It was learnt during investigation that Tomar runs an illegal Hawala business in Mumbai, while Rakesh, a native of Uttar Pradesh, is a fraudster and extortionist having numerous criminal cases against him in Maharashtra and UP.
The EOW has seized many incriminating documents including debit cards, credit cards and cheques of different banks, mobile phones, a “GLOCK” pistol with 8 rounds of live ammunitions and Rs 50,000 from the possession of Rakesh.
Rakesh is involved in at least 15 criminal cases of fraud, dacoity, robbery, swindling, attempt to murder, impersonation of public authority registered at different police stations of Mumbai and UP.
Following their arrest, Rakesh and Tomar were produced before the Metropolitan magistrate, Holiday Court, Bandra, Mumbai and brought to Bhubaneswar on the strength of transit remand for production before the Ld SDJM court.
Further investigation into the case is continuing to arrest other accused persons of the gang.
