₹4.4 Crore Mobile Business Dream Ends in Alleged Fraud: Ghatkopar Man Arrested After Years of Eluding Police

Navi Mumbai: A business proposal that once appeared to offer the promise of a profitable future in the booming mobile phone market allegedly turned into a ₹4.4-crore nightmare for a Govandi-based businessman. More than a decade after the complaint was filed, Navi Mumbai Police arrested a 30-year-old Ghatkopar resident, Deepak Karani, in connection with the alleged cheating case.

According to the police, Karani had approached businessman Satish Sawant, 40, in 2010 with an attractive proposal to start a mobile phone retail business. He allegedly convinced Sawant to join him as a partner and invest money in a venture that was supposed to sell mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices.

The proposal reportedly centred around opening a retail outlet in Vashi, with the business focusing on high-end mobile phones. Karani allegedly presented the venture as an opportunity that could generate substantial profits for both partners.

Sawant, believing in the proposed business plan, allegedly invested a large amount of money. However, the promised enterprise never became a reality.

Instead of seeing the proposed store open its doors, Sawant was allegedly left waiting as Karani repeatedly postponed the launch of the business.

A promising proposal that never took off

The alleged fraud began with what appeared to be a straightforward business partnership.

According to investigators, Karani told Sawant that the two could take advantage of the growing demand for mobile phones by establishing a retail outlet in Vashi. The plan was reportedly to deal in high-end handsets and share the profits generated from the business.

Sawant allegedly trusted the proposal and agreed to put his money into the venture.

But as time passed, the business failed to materialise.

Police said Karani continued to delay the launch of the proposed store for nearly two years. Each delay reportedly left Sawant waiting for the business to finally begin.

Eventually, Sawant allegedly became concerned about the money he had invested. He began asking Karani when the business would actually start and, later, demanded that his money be returned if the venture was not going ahead.

Instead of receiving his money back, Sawant allegedly found it increasingly difficult to contact Karani.

“Karani said they would rent a store in Vashi and start retailing high-end phones. But for two years, he kept delaying the enterprise. When Sawant asked for his money back, Karani started avoiding his calls,” Suresh Mengade, DCP (Crime), said, according to the police.

For Sawant, what had started as a business opportunity had allegedly turned into a long and frustrating attempt to recover his money.

Complaint filed after repeated attempts to recover money

After his efforts to resolve the matter directly allegedly failed, Sawant approached the police in June 2012.

Investigators began looking into the allegations and attempted to trace Karani. However, finding him was not easy.

Police said Karani frequently changed his rented accommodation and did not stay at one location for long. His movements across Mumbai allegedly made it difficult for investigators to establish a permanent address.

According to DCP Mengade, Karani had changed his residence eight times in a period of nine months.

The frequent changes reportedly meant that by the time police reached one location, Karani had already moved elsewhere.

Investigators therefore had to look beyond traditional methods of tracing his address and began examining his movements and travel patterns.

Radio cabs helped police narrow down the trail

During the investigation, police reportedly discovered that Karani frequently used radio cabs while travelling to meetings.

This detail eventually became important for investigators trying to locate him.

Police contacted a cab company and examined information that could help establish where Karani was travelling and where he was staying. By following this trail, investigators were eventually able to identify one of his residences.

The investigation led police to a rented flat in Chembur.

After locating him there, police arrested Karani in connection with the alleged cheating case.

The arrest brought an end to a lengthy search for the accused, who investigators said had repeatedly shifted residences to avoid being traced.

Six mobile phones and 16 SIM cards recovered

During the investigation, police recovered six mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from Karani.

Investigators are examining the devices and communication records to understand his contacts and movements and to determine whether they could provide further information about the alleged fraud.

The recovery of multiple phones and SIM cards also became an important part of the investigation as police began looking into whether Karani had maintained contact with several people using different numbers.

Officers are also examining whether the devices contain information that could help identify other alleged victims or establish links to other business transactions.

Police suspect the alleged fraud may not have been an isolated incident

As investigators went deeper into the case, they allegedly discovered information suggesting that Sawant may not have been the only businessman approached with a similar proposal.

Police claimed that Karani had allegedly used a comparable business pitch with other people.

In an earlier case, Karani, along with Shibu Madhavan and Afzal Kapadia, was allegedly involved in cheating a businessman from Goregaon of approximately ₹28.8 lakh.

According to the police, the businessman had also allegedly been promised a share in a smartphone retail business.

The pattern reportedly involved a business proposal linked to mobile phone sales, with the investor allegedly expecting to earn profits from the proposed venture.

However, the promised business allegedly did not work out as represented, leading to a cheating complaint.

Police said Afzal Kapadia was arrested in connection with that earlier case and was later released on bail.

Investigators are now looking into whether the two cases are connected and whether other people may have been approached using similar business proposals.

A case that highlights the risks behind attractive business promises

The case is a reminder of how an apparently lucrative business opportunity can become a serious financial dispute when promised plans fail to materialise.

For Sawant, the proposal was reportedly not presented as a simple investment but as a partnership in a retail business. The plan to open a store in Vashi and sell high-end mobile phones allegedly gave the venture the appearance of a genuine commercial opportunity.

However, according to the police, the business never moved beyond promises.

The alleged delay of almost two years, followed by repeated attempts to contact Karani and recover the money, eventually resulted in a police complaint.

The investigation then became a long effort to locate the accused, with investigators reportedly tracking his movements through rented residences and travel patterns.

Police examining the wider picture

Following Karani’s arrest, the Navi Mumbai Police are continuing to investigate the alleged ₹4.4-crore fraud.

Officers are examining the recovered mobile phones and SIM cards and are looking into Karani’s alleged contacts and financial dealings.

Investigators are also trying to determine whether additional people may have been approached with similar offers and whether any other cases are connected to the same alleged pattern.

The police are expected to establish the flow of money, examine the business claims made to the complainant and verify the details surrounding the proposed mobile phone venture.

The investigation will also seek to determine the precise role of the other individuals named in connection with the earlier Goregaon case.

From business opportunity to police investigation

The story began with the promise of a new business venture and the possibility of making profits from the growing mobile phone market. Instead, according to the allegations, the promised store never opened, the investment was not returned and the businessman was eventually forced to seek police intervention.

What followed was a lengthy investigation in which police faced difficulties tracing an accused who allegedly moved repeatedly between rented homes.

Eventually, investigators followed another lead — his use of radio cabs — and managed to locate him in Chembur.

With Karani now arrested, police are focusing on establishing the complete circumstances surrounding the alleged ₹4.4-crore transaction and determining whether the case forms part of a wider pattern of alleged business fraud.

The allegations against Karani remain subject to the legal process, and the investigation is continuing.

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.