Mumbai: Jharkhand Coal Trader Booked for Cheating Malad-Based Businessman of Rs 96 Lakh

The Kurar Police Station have registered a case of cheating against a Jharkhand-based coal trader for allegedly duping a Malad-based real estate and hotel businessman of approximately Rs 96 lakh. The accused has been identified as Sanjeev Kumar Singh, who is also suspected of involvement in similar fraud cases.

According to the police, the complainant, Ramandeep Singh Gurvinder Singh Kohli, a resident of Kurar Village in Malad and a real estate developer who also runs a hotel business, was introduced to Singh through his friend Sushanta Joydev Biswas. The two have known each other for the past 10 years.

Singh, who owns a coal mine in the Dhanbad region of Jharkhand, allegedly offered to supply coal at a discounted rate. He claimed that if Kohli and other hotel businessmen required coal, he could provide it at competitive prices. The complainant subsequently agreed to purchase coal worth Rs 1 crore.

In September 2025, Singh visited Mumbai and held a meeting with the complainant regarding the coal deal. During the meeting, he allegedly assured them that if they paid Rs 1 crore, he would supply coal worth Rs 2 crore. An advance payment of Rs 5 lakh was made at that time.

In November 2025, Kohli and Biswas travelled to Jharkhand, where they met Singh and visited the coal mine. They were shown dumpers being loaded with coal, which Singh claimed was their consignment and would soon be dispatched to Mumbai.

Trusting his assurances, the complainant transferred Rs 50 lakh to Marketing Private Limited, Rs 40 lakh to Bhavya Transport and Import, Rs 1 lakh via PhonePe, and Rs 5 lakh in cash, totalling Rs 96 lakh.

However, after receiving the payment, Singh allegedly failed to provide the promised invoice and neither delivered the coal nor refunded the money despite repeated follow-ups. Suspecting foul play, the complainant demanded a refund, but Singh reportedly neither returned the amount nor supplied the coal.

Following the complaint, Kurar police conducted a preliminary inquiry and registered an FIR against Singh for allegedly misappropriating nearly Rs 96 lakh under the pretext of supplying coal.

Police officials said a team will soon travel to Jharkhand to apprehend the accused. Further investigation is underway.