Haveri ‘job’ scam: Women allege Rs 10cr fraud, promoter missing

Haveri: Dozens of aggrieved women who gathered outside the town police station on Thursday urged police to ensure justice, alleging that Vinayak Anveri of Nelogal village in Haveri taluk, accused of collecting crores from the public, is now untraceable. They demanded his immediate arrest and the return of their money.

“They told us they would supply incense sticks, candles, camphor, dhoop and other materials, and that we only had to pack them from home. They claimed to have nine branches across the state. They asked us to deposit anywhere between Rs 25,000 and Rs 5 lakh, promising a monthly income of Rs 26,000 for every Rs 1 lakh invested. I initially deposited Rs 1 lakh and received payments for four or five months. Later, I invested another Rs 2 lakh, but after that I did not receive even a single rupee and was cheated,” said Shankramma from Joyisaraharalahalli in Ranebennur taluk.

Vinayak Anveri, who allegedly convinced women that SLV Mahila Mart would provide employment opportunities, is said to have collected deposits running into lakhs and has been missing for the past week. Many women, lured by the promise of steady income, reportedly mortgaged their houses, sites and jewellery or took loans to invest amounts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Estimates suggest that around Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore may have been diverted through the firm.

“The victims have alleged that lakhs of rupees were collected from women under the pretext of work-from-home schemes and that nearly Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore was cheated. They have been asked to submit formal complaints along with supporting documents,” said Motilal Pawar, CPI of Haveri town police station.