Image used for representational purpose only.
HYDERABAD: The number of victims, who have been cheated in the Karakkaya (Haritaki) fruit scam is increasing every day. Around 400 victims have approached police on Monday when the scam came to the light and complained of losing more than `40 lakh to the fraudster.
According to police, as of Wednesday, the number crossed 600 and the amount the people have been duped is estimated around 2 crores. The victims are spread across AP, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Another case has been registered against the accused at KPHB police station after a Jangoan based businessman lodged a complaint stating that he had borrowed `4 lakh from his friends and purchased 400 kg of Haritaki. The case is transferred to the Economic Offences Wing of Cyberabad Commissionerate, and two teams have been formed to trace the suspects Mallikarjun and Anil Devaraju of Soft Integrate Multi Foods. Surprisingly, all the victims have paid them through cash.
The number of victims and the amount cheated could increase in the coming days say police. Meanwhile, Cyberabad police issued an advisory to the citizens about such Ponzi and fraudulent schemes that offer easy and quick money. The firm had earlier published ads offering job opportunities for housewives.
The victims were asked to deposit `1,000 per kg Haritaki and were asked to return the same after powdering it, for which they would be paid `1,300 per kg. Lured by the offer, many housewives, retired employees, businessmen and even a few government employees joined the scheme.
