AHMEDABAD: An IT professional from Mumbai has filed a police complaint, alleging he was swindled out of a staggering Rs 18.18 lakh by a former acquaintance. The accused allegedly convinced the victim to secure multiple loans under the pretence of launching an agricultural company. After initial repayments, the accused absconded, leaving the victim with a substantial debt.
The complainant, during his postgraduate studies in Gandhinagar in 2012, became acquainted with the accused, a resident of Shahibaug. In 2020, while employed in Ahmedabad, the complainant purchased a flat and resided there. That same year, the accused’s father was diagnosed with cancer, prompting him to seek financial assistance. A loan was arranged and provided to the accused, who repaid it promptly, thereby reinforcing the trust between the two.
Later, the accused expressed a desire to establish an agricultural company in his wife’s name but faced obstacles due to a poor credit score. He persuaded the complainant to obtain loans on his behalf, assuring full responsibility for repayment. “I trusted him due to our previous interactions and agreed to take a loan in my name,” the complainant told police.
The complainant secured loans from ICICI Bank, Infrared Financial Bank, Bajaj Finance and Fullerton India Credit. He allegedly transferred the funds to the accused’s wife’s enterprise.
Initially, the accused honoured the first two instalments but soon ceased payments. He then allegedly messaged the complainant saying he was leaving for a while and did not know when he would return. He promised to repay the outstanding amount, requesting the complainant not to trouble his family or wife.
Despite sporadic partial repayments, a sum of Rs 18.18 lakh remains unpaid. After the accused made numerous unfulfilled assurances, the complainant lodged a criminal breach of trust complaint on Saturday.