Man dupes 10 people of `1.5 crore

Pune: A case of cheating was registered on Friday against a man, already lodged in the Yerawada prison on a rape charge, for duping over 10 people of Rs1.5 crore on the promise of getting them cars at a discounted rate.A software engineer (35) of Ravet lost Rs14 lakh to the suspect, following which he lodged a complaint with the Hinjewadi police."We will take him into custody after seeking permission from the court," said an officer of the Hinjewadi police.The complainant came into contact with the suspect in Oct 2024. The man posed as a car dealer and promised a 20% discount to the complainant. "He took Rs14.9 lakh from the complainant under the pretext of booking the vehicle, but never did. After repeated follow-ups, the suspect returned Rs1 lakh to the complainant," assistant police inspector Somnath Panchal of the Hinjewadi police told TOI.Panchal said the suspect also took money from the complainant's friends and assured them too that they would get cars at a discounted rate. He even took money from some of them saying he needed money for medical care. "He collectively duped 10 people of Rs1.5 crore," he said.The officer said the suspect took money from the people he duped through bank transfers and credit cards. He has been charged under sections Sections 316 (criminal breach of trust) and 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "Our investigations are on," he added.