Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
In a shocking fraud case, over 14 women were allegedly cheated of Rs 22.20 lakh by a trio from Pune who lured them with promises of jobs and free electric two-wheelers. A case has been registered at Cidco police station against Anvita Yogesh Kachi, Harsha Vijay Ambhore and Hemant Rajesh Rasal following a complaint by Rohini Gajmal.
According to the complaint, in 2022, the accused approached women to join organisations named Parichay Mahila Bachat Mahasangh and Grow Smart Retail India Pvt. Ltd., collecting Rs 1,500 as membership fees. They promised a job with a salary of Rs 15,000 and a free electric scooter within three months. The women were asked to submit Aadhaar, PAN card and bank documents.
The accused allegedly misused these documents and OTPs to obtain microfinance loans in the victims’ names. In one instance, a loan of Rs 1.51 lakh was sanctioned from Girnar Capital Pvt. Ltd. at 22% interest.
Later, some women were given old and defective electric scooters. The fraud came to light after victims started receiving calls from banks over unpaid loan instalments. Further investigation is underway.