EOW arrests 2 hardcore fraudsters from Mumbai involved in cheating to the tune of over Rs 2.02 cr

Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing, Bhubaneswar has arrested two persons from Mumbai involved in cheating to the tune of over Rs 2.02 crore. They have been identified as Rakesh Kumar Girija Shankar Pandey and Sarman Singh Tomar.

Reportedly, one Ashok Kumar Singh had filed a complaint against Rakesh Pandey, Sarman Singh Tomar, and seven others on the allegation of cheating to the tune of more than Rs. 2.02 crores on the pretext of funding/financing of Rs. 100 crores to the complainant for his business.

It has been ascertained during the investigation that complainant Ashok Kumar Singh is carrying a real estate business in Odisha, which was severely affected during Covid 19 pandemic and he was in need of money for his business.

However, he sought funding from other sources when he could not arrange any Bank finance for his business. Meanwhile, in June 2021, he came in contact with the accused Rakesh who assured him to arrange the fund of Rs. 100 crores, however, told him to pay Rs. 2 crores for the privilege, so that the fund can be arranged immediately.

It has also been ascertained during the investigation that subsequently at the instance of Rakesh Pandey, the complainant went to Mumbai and arranged cash of Rs. 2 crores with the help of his business partner and paid the amount to the accused persons.

Subsequently, the complainant received many emails promising sanction of loan amount after following some procedure and documentation.

Later, neither did the complainant receive the loan amount of Rs. 100 crores nor did he get back his Rs. 2 crores given as processing fees. Rakesh Pandey, Sarman Singh Tomar and others never gave any financial assistance as assured by them rather cheated the complainant and his business partner of an amount of Rs 2.02 Crores by using forged and fake agreements, email, etc.

They used the fake email id of a renowned company to fool the complainant.

Sarman Singh Tomar runs an illegal Hawala business in Mumbai and Rakesh Pandey ( a native of UP) is a veteran fraudster/ criminal/ extortionist having numerous criminal cases against him in Maharashtra and UP. They with others duped the complainant in the name of providing a loan.

Many incriminating documents/ articles such as Debit cards, Credit cards and Cheques of different Banks, Mobile phones, one “GLOCK” pistol with 8 rounds of live ammunition and cash of Rs 50,000/- have been seized from the possession of accused Rakesh Pandey.

It has been learnt that accused Rakesh Pandey is involved in at least 15 crimes like farud/dacoity, Robbery, Swindling, Forgery, attempt to murder, Impersonation of Public Authority, etc registered at different police stations of Mumbai, Maharashtra, UP. His involvement in other such cases is under verification.

Case has been registered  under sections 406/420/467/468/471/120 B of IPC. On their arrest,both the accused persons were produced before the Metropolitan magistrate, Holiday Court, Bandra, Mumbai on March 27,2022.

They have been brought to Bhubaneswar on the strength of transit remand for production before the Ld. SDJM, Bhubaneswar. Investigation of the case is continuing. Efforts are on to identify/arrest the remaining accused persons of the gang and to unveil their involvement in hawala transactions/ scam.