Pune: A businessman in Pune was defrauded of ₹50 lakh by individuals posing as high-ranking officials in the Prime Minister’s Office, promising him a lucrative government contract. This incident occurred between December 2019 and March 2022, and a case has been registered at Bund Garden Police Station.
Details of the Fraud
Accused: Kashmira Sandeep Pawar (29, resident of Koyna Society, Sadar Bazar, Satara) and Ganesh Gaikwad (Satara).
Charges: The accused have been charged under IPC sections 419 (cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
Victim and Modus Operandi
Complainant: Businessman Gorakh Jagannath Maral (49, resident of Sarang Society, Gawliwada, Sahakarnagar).
The accused met Maral at the council hall in Pune, where Kashmira Pawar pretended to be a National Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office. They lured Maral with promises of securing a significant government contract, repeatedly summoning him to the council hall, Pawar’s residence, and Toni Da Dhaba hotel at Chandni Chowk.
Execution of the Fraud
All purported contract documents were sent to Maral’s WhatsApp number, which helped gain his trust. Consequently, Maral transferred ₹50 lakh in cash and via RTGS. However, no contract materialized, revealing the financial fraud.
Investigation
The case is currently under further investigation by Police Sub-Inspector Gawde, who is working to uncover additional details and bring the perpetrators to justice.
