Mumbai: Tenant Couple Cheats 76-Year-Old Woman of ₹1.71 Crore in Investment & Tax Refund Scam

In a shocking case of fraud, a 76-year-old woman from Chandivali in Powai was allegedly duped of ₹1.71 crore by her own tenant couple, who lured her with promises of profits in a rice trading business and income tax refunds. The Powai Police have launched a manhunt for the accused duo.

According to police, the victim had rented out her Powai flat to the accused, identified as Mohitkumar Bisu and his wife Sushma Gurung, through a broker in August 2022. While the couple paid rent regularly for the first 7–8 months, they later began defaulting, which marked the beginning of the alleged fraud.

In 2023, the accused reportedly convinced the elderly woman to invest in a wholesale rice business by offering her a partnership. They allegedly prepared fake documents under the name “Dempo Enterprises” to gain her trust. Between December 2023 and January 2024, the victim invested around ₹36.5 lakh via cheques. However, she did not receive any returns.

Police said that the accused later learned that the victim had deposited approximately ₹1.90 crore in her bank accounts after selling her flat. Taking advantage of this, they allegedly promised to help her secure income tax refunds and, under this pretext, obtained access to her banking details.

The victim alleged that the accused misused her trust and age, and through mobile banking applications, transferred ₹1.71 crore from her accounts into their own and related accounts.

She further stated that she was initially too frightened to approach the police, as the accused reportedly possessed a licensed firearm. Additionally, her husband is a heart patient, which added to her hesitation. However, after repeated delays and continued cheating, she finally lodged a complaint on April 15, 2026.

The Powai Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Bank transactions, documents, and digital evidence are currently being examined as efforts continue to trace and apprehend the accused.