Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (MS)
Sullia, Jul 18: An arecanut dealer of Gujarat origin, who was conducting business in Mangaluru, has allegedly cheated several arecanut merchants in Dakshina Kannada (DK) out of lacs of rupees and is now absconding.
The Gujarati arecanut businessman has been operating in Baikampady, Mangaluru, for the past 30 years. He reportedly gained the trust of arecanut dealers in Sullia, Bellare, Puttur, and Mangaluru, purchasing arecanut from them but failing to pay for the goods.
It is said that five to six arecanut merchants from Sullia alone were conned out of amounts ranging from Rs 5 lac to Rs 20 lac each. It is gathered that the dealer's phone is now switched off. One merchant has filed a complaint with the police, accusing the dealer of cheating him out of Rs 8.9 lac.