Businessman from Mumbai cheated of Rs 11.5 crore under promise of Rs 200 crore loan

Mumbai: A Ghatkopar based businessman was induced with a promise of availing an interest-free loan of Rs 200 crore and was duped of Rs 11.5 crore. The complainant Hitesh Ajmera, has alleged the accused identified as Vivekkumar Sinha, his wife Akanksha Awasthi and others allegedly conspired to cheat him by claiming that Rs 300 crore in cash was stored in a godown in Bihar, and demanded money to "redeem" the said cash. In return, they allegedly promised to provide the complainant with an interest-free loan of Rs 200 crore from the redeemed amount.According to Pant Nagar police, the crime took place between March 2024 and July 2024. Ajmera claims that he came in contact with Shantilal Patel in Jan 2024 through an office employee. Patel allegedly claimed to own around 110 acres of land in Goa and discussed selling the property, offering Ajmera a commission. Patel introduced him to Vivek Kumar alias Abhishek Kumar Singh Chauhan and his wife Akanksha Awasthi. Patel allegedly told him that Vivek Kumar had Rs 300 crore in cash stored in a godown at Bettiah, West Champaran district of Bihar, and required funds to "redeem" the amount. Ajmera was allegedly promised an interest-free amount of Rs 200 crore within a few days if he helped finance the operation.The complainant claimed that Vivek Kumar and Akanksha Awasthi, who allegedly projected herself as a Bhojpuri film artist running a studio in Mumbai, reinforced the claims, prompting him to invest money. Acting on their instructions, Ajmera initially transferred Rs 50 lakh to Vivek Kumar's bank account on March 22, 2024.In May 2024, Ajmera allegedly travelled to Patna along with Patel and Vivek Kumar, where he was introduced to the purported godown owner, Raviraj Sharma. The victim was allegedly told that Rs 11 crore was required to redeem the cash, and was shown a photocopy of a notarised lease agreement of the godown dated Dec 14, 2023. In total, Ajmera transferred Rs 11.5 crore to Vivek Kumar's bank account.Ajmera further alleged that while travelling from Patna to Bettiah on July 5, 2024, Vivek Kumar stopped at a sweet shop and never returned. His mobile phone was later found switched off. After waiting for nearly 15 days and receiving evasive responses, Ajmera claimed Patel also left Patna without informing him. He then returned to Mumbai after running out of money.Ajmera said that repeated attempts to contact Vivek Kumar and others failed, leading him to believe that he had been cheated as part of a pre-planned conspiracy.