Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai  

Mumbai, Sep 3: A scrap trader from Kurla has lodged a police complaint alleging that he was cheated of more than Rs 35 lac in a fraudulent hotel air-conditioner scrap deal, allegedly orchestrated by two men from Pune. 

According to reports, the complainant, Imran Abdul Khan, stated that Karim Khan and his son, Ahmed Khan, lured him with the promise of selling AC scrap from a seven-star hotel in Pune. Imran revealed that the duo had earlier gained his confidence in 2023 by involving him in a chemical factory scrap deal in Goa, from which he had earned good profits. 

Introduced to Karim and Ahmed through his father’s friend, Sajid Shaikh, Imran was informed in March 2024 about the hotel scrap deal. The transaction was settled at Rs 61 lac for nearly 600 indoor units and 85 outdoor units. To further convince him, Imran was even invited to Pune to inspect the scrap material. 

Trusting their assurances, Imran, along with his business partner Tanveer Ibrahim Shaikh, transferred Rs 35.58 lac in multiple instalments to the account of Karim’s firm, National Scrap Traders. Additionally, Rs 11 lac in cash was handed over through Sajid Shaikh, which Karim allegedly acknowledged.   

However, despite repeated promises, the scrap was never delivered. Imran alleged that the accused kept delaying, citing hotel management issues or demanding extra payments. Later, Ahmed reportedly told him that the scrap had already been sold to another buyer. When Imran demanded a refund, the accused allegedly refused and stopped responding to his calls.   

On August 8, 2025, Imran approached the police, accusing Karim and Ahmed of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and breach of trust. He claimed the duo deliberately conspired to gain his confidence before defrauding him of lakhs of rupees. Police have registered a case, and investigations are currently underway.