Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar
Brahmavar, Oct 27: Police have arrested a woman accused of cheating two people of more than Rs 1.45 crore by promising to arrange a government subsidy loan under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
According to the complaint filed by Saritha Lewis (39), a resident of Herady, Barkur post, Yadtadi village, Brahmavar, the accused Kaushalya was introduced to her through Anjaline D’Silva in November 2023. Kaushalya reportedly convinced Saritha, despite her initial hesitation, that she could arrange a PMEGP subsidy loan.
Over time, Kaushalya allegedly demanded money under various pretexts related to the loan processing. Believing her assurances, Saritha transferred money in several installments — both to Kaushalya’s account and in cash — to individuals identified as Sandesh (her husband), Prakash, Ashish Shetty, Rajendra Byndoor, Geeta, Harini, Navya, Kumar, Malathi, Praveen, Hariprasad, Nagaraj, and Bharati Singh. The total amount paid by the complainant was reported to be Rs 80,72,000.
Similarly, Kaushalya also promised Saritha’s relative, Anjaline D’Silva, a PMEGP subsidy loan and collected Rs 65,00,000 in several installments through the same group of people.
In total, Kaushalya allegedly cheated the complainant and her relative of Rs 1,45,72,000, after assuring them that she could arrange a Rs 4 crore PMEGP subsidy loan, even impersonating a bank official over the phone to gain their trust.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at Brahmavar police station.
The Brahmavar police have taken the accused Kaushalya into custody, and further investigation is underway.