Imaginary firms, tangible fortunes Crime Branch cracks Rs 155 cr fraud racket

 

 

In a case that reads like the plot of a crime thriller, a massive fraud worth Rs 155 crore has come to light in Lakadganj area. Eight fraudlent businessmen have been booked by the police for setting up fake companies using the names of common people brought in from other states. One such victim, Biswajit Sudhanshu Roy from West Bengal, thought he had come to Nagpur for a job - but instead, he found himself trapped in a shocking web of financial crime. Roy (39), a resident of Hooghly, West Bengal, used to run a fast food stall in his hometown. After his father’s demise in 2023 and mounting medical expenses, he faced a severe financial crunch. He contacted his friend Suraj alias Pritam Kedia, who was working in Nagpur for help. Biswajit moved to Nagpur in June 2024 after receiving an assurance of employment from Suraj, said police.

 

Upon arrival, Suraj introduced him to a group of businessmen – Bunty Shahu, Jayesh Shahu, Avinash Shahu, Rishi Lakhani, Anand Harde, Rajesh Shahu, Brijkishore Manihar and Anshul Mishra – at the Pritam Complex, located in the Small Factory Area on Old Bhandara Road. The police officials said that the accused proposed to invest money in the market under Biswajit’s name and promised a monthly profit share. Desperate for work, Biswajit agreed and submitted his Aadhaar and PAN card. He was also made to sign several documents. Later, he was accommodated in a warehouse owned by Rajesh Shahu in the Wathoda area. On August 3, 2024, Avinash procured an Airtel SIM card in Biswajit’s name but kept it with himself. He cited OTP verification and gave Rs 25,000 to Biswajit as an initial profit share. The accused had used his identity to register a company called Kshitij Enterprises as a small-scale industry with a valid GST number. Two bank accounts were opened for this firm - one in Yes Bank and another in The Nagpur Smart City Cooperative Society.

 

The accused allegedly generated fake invoices for goods sold to traders and firms, though no actual transactions took place. After receiving payments from various businesses, they would withdraw the amount and return it in cash. Through this modus-operandi, they created the illusion of legitimate business activity. Between September 9 and December 30, 2024, transactions worth Rs 96.39 crore were made through Kshitij Enterprises. In a similar modus-operendi, another fake firm named Avadh Enterprises was created by the accused persons using the identity of Mithun Raju Rajpande, a resident of Vyahadpeth, Amravati Road. They accused have done fraudulent transactions worth Rs 59.51 crore through this firm. Once Biswajit discovered the fraudulent activity in his name, he confronted the accused and demanded they stop the transactions. However, the accused threatened him with dire consequences and warned him to remain silent. Biswajit mustered the courage to approach the police. He filed a complaint with the Crime Branch. DCP Detection Rahul Maknikar ordered a probe. The Crime Branch officials initiated a preliminary investigation which confirmed the allegations and exposed the massive fraud. As a result, a formal case was registered at the Lakadganj Police Station and a case under Sections 318 (4), 336 (3), 338, 340 (2), 3 95) and 351 (3) of Bharatiya Nyay Samhita was registered.