Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 26: The RCF Police in Chembur have registered a cheating case against a Jaipur-based businessman and his Nagpur-based associate for allegedly duping a city entrepreneur of over Rs 1.06 crore under the pretext of offering lucrative profits from an import-export business involving cashew nuts and teakwood.

According to the police, the complainant, a 52-year-old construction material supplier and transport firm owner from Chembur, was lured by the accused — identified as Maheshkumar Daulatram Motiani (38) of Jaipur and his business partner and alleged girlfriend Jyotsna Yuvraj Choudhari (45) of Nagpur.

The duo reportedly promised the victim returns of up to 30 per cent within weeks, claiming to run a successful business importing cashew and teakwood from Ghana, West Africa, and supplying to clients across India.

“The complainant was introduced to the accused in 2022 by his neighbour, who claimed he had earned good profits by investing in their business. Initially, the victim invested small amounts and even received timely returns. Gaining his trust, the accused later convinced him to invest larger sums,” said a police official.

Between September 10 and October 7, 2024, the victim transferred four instalments — Rs 50 lakh, Rs 6.44 lakh, Rs 30 lakh, and Rs 20 lakh — to a Nagpur-based bank account held by the accused. They assured him that profits would be credited within 20 to 25 days, but no payment was received.

Instead, the victim was sent cheques that repeatedly bounced. By June this year, he realised he had been duped and approached the police.

Senior Police Inspector Dattatraya Patil of RCF Police Station confirmed that both accused have been booked for cheating and have similar fraud cases registered in Ulhasnagar, Nagpur, and Madhya Pradesh for duping multiple investors through fake investment schemes.

Police investigations are underway to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount.