BWSSB contractor falls for 'money double' scheme, loses Rs 2 crore

Bengaluru: The police on Sunday announced the arrest of seven members of an interstate gang, which allegedly duped a BWSSB contractor of Rs 2 crore by promising to invest in an "attractive scheme". 

Police investigations revealed that the scam was orchestrated by one Vicky Ahuja, who is currently absconding in Malaysia. He recruited 11 others from across the country to carry out the scam. 

The gang set up small offices in the name of MEDB Capital Berhad to attract potential investors. In one such instance, the suspects targeted Naveen J, 34, a BWSSB contractor from Sunkadakatte. 

Through a common connection, the gang contacted Naveen and offered to double his investment in a day. Over several phone call meetings, they convinced him to invest Rs 2 crore. 

On December 11, Naveen went to a small office space in Cubbonpet. There, two people posing as MEDB Capital Berhad representatives collected the money and counted it. Minutes later, Naveen received Rs 10,000 to his bank account and an email that money will be transferred in installments in the next few hours. 

“The suspects told Naveen that there was no safe locker in the office. Therefore, they will take it to the bank, and left. He waited there for hours but didn’t get any money,” a police officer investigating the case told DH. 

Realising he was duped, Naveen filed a police complaint. In a swift operation, the police arrested Shyam Thomas, 59, from Kottayam, and Josh M Kuruvilla, 62, from Thrissur, and Jeen Kamal, 45, from JP Nagar. 

The police found that the money was given to one Urvashi Goswami, alias Sonu, who passed it onto different people through a circuitous transaction. 

"After arresting Urvashi, we learnt that she gave money to different people through Hawala. We have so far seized Rs 44 lakh,” the officer said. 

However, the police are awaiting confirmation about the Hawala transaction and will write to the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to look into it. 

The police have also arrested Vijay Vaman, 45, Jaffar Sadiq, 39, and Amit Mahesh Gidwani, 49. Five more suspects, including Vicky, Kalyan Murugan, Alpesh Patel, Chandresh Patel and Panju, are absconding.