Mangalore: Man cheats using Oscar's name, minister denies knowing him

Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Updated

Mangalore, Sep 23: A person claiming to be the nephew of union minister Oscar Fernandes has been accused of cheating a Puttur resident of his money with false promises of providing a job to his sister.

In the complaint filed on Monday September 23 at Pandeshwar police station, it is alleged that Oscar Meredian (45), a resident of Kankanady, promised to provide a job to the sister of Jagadish, a resident of Puttur, but later duped him. Jagadish is the proprietor of Professional Couriers, B C Road.

The complaint states that Meredian promised to get the accounting job for Jagadish's sister in National Research Centre for Cashew using his uncle's influence, and demanded Rs 3 lac to get it done.

After much negotiation, Jagadish agreed to pay him Rs 50,000, and accordingly transferred the money to the account of a common friend, Preetham D'Souza in January 2013. The money was later handed over to Meredian by Preetham D'Souza.

However, though 8 months have passed, Jagadish's sister has not got the job, and neither has Meredian repayed the money.

It is said that Meredian kept changing his sim cards and stopped responding to calls.

The complaint was filed by Preetham D'Souza. It is alleged that apart from Jagadish, Meredian has cheated many people in a similar way in the name of Oscar Fernandes. However, the complainant later said he was not sure if the person was really the minister's nephew, and urged the police to enquire.

Further investigations are on.

Speaking to daijiworld, Oscar Fernandes said that there was no such person by name 'Oscar Meredian' among his relatives at all. "I have nothing to do with the case," he asserted.