The fraudsters alleged that they had 'black money.' A hotel owner from Pune was cheated to the tune of Rs 25 lakh after fraudsters promised to give him Rs 50 lakh in Rs 500 currency in return of Rs 25 lakh in Rs 2000 notes, saying they had ‘black money.’ According to the complainant, the fraudsters handed him bundles of newspaper pieces instead. Police have arrested three persons and have launched search for two others.
A First Information Report in the case has been registered at Faraskhana police station in Pune by a 36-year-old man who owns a hotel in Shivane area. The exchange, where the complainant was handed over bundles of newspaper pieces in a bag, took place on February 23, but he approached the police two days ago after making attempts on his own to get back the Rs 25 lakh he had lost to the fraudsters.
Around mid-February, the hotel owner was approached by one of his acquaintances who told him about some people who were in possession of ‘black money.’ The suspects said they were ready to give the complainant Rs 50 lakh in Rs 500 notes in return of Rs 25 lakh in Rs 2000. The suspects and complainant met on a public road in Kasba Peth area on February 23. They took the bag containing Rs 25 lakh in Rs 2000 notes from the complainant and gave one bag to him, before leaving on the pretext of fetching another bag.
When the complainant opened the bag given to him, it contained bundles of newspaper cut in the size of currency notes. By that time, the fraudsters had fled the spot.
Assistant Inspector Abhijit Patil, who is probing the case, said, “After the complainant approached us and the case was registered, we arrested three persons. We have launched a search for two others.”