Photo Credit: Pune News

Tejas Navale

Pune: Bharti Vidyapeeth Police recently uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving online loans, leading to the arrest of eight individuals. Acting on a complaint filed by Police Sub-Inspector Sanjay Jagannath Narle, officers raided Flat No. 601 on the sixth floor of Shivam Apartments in Mangdewadi. Among the confiscated items were laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, and chequebooks, collectively valued at five lakh rupees.

The accused, identified as Shrinu Suresh Mudavad, Laudia alias Rohit Govind Chavan, Rahul Hiriya Munawat, Santosh Motilal Katrawat, Ramesh Narayan Dhedawat, Prakash Narsingh Mudawat, and Venkatesh Gopal Chavan, were charged under IPC sections 419, 420, 120(b), and 34, as well as the IT Act.

According to police reports, the suspects collaborated to unlawfully obtain mobile numbers and personal information from citizens for financial gain. They would then contact these individuals, posing as representatives of loan companies, and offer online loans. Using WhatsApp, the accused would request documents from the victims and claim that their loans were approved.

Subsequently, the perpetrators would deceive the victims into transferring money to various bank accounts under false pretenses. Despite receiving payment, they failed to provide the promised loans, resulting in financial fraud.

Upon receiving complaints about this fraudulent activity, Bharti Vidyapeeth Police took swift action, raiding the specified flat and apprehending the culprits. The seized items, including electronic devices and banking materials, will be instrumental in the ongoing investigation, led by Police Inspector Crime Sharad Jhine.