₹4.4 Crore Mobile Business Dream Turns Into Alleged Fraud; Ghatkopar Man Arrested After Years of Search

Navi Mumbai: What began as a promising business proposal involving high-end mobile phones allegedly ended in a ₹4.4-crore financial loss for a Govandi businessman. Navi Mumbai Police have arrested 30-year-old Deepak Karani, a resident of Ghatkopar, in connection with the alleged cheating case.

According to the police, Karani had approached businessman Satish Sawant, 40, in 2010 with a proposal to start a mobile phone retail business together. The plan, investigators said, was to establish a store in Vashi and sell high-end mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices.

The proposal reportedly appeared attractive at a time when the mobile phone market was expanding rapidly. Karani allegedly convinced Sawant that the proposed partnership could generate substantial profits and that both would benefit from the venture.

Sawant allegedly trusted the proposal and invested a large amount of money.

But the business he had been promised never got off the ground.

The shop that never opened

According to investigators, Karani repeatedly postponed the launch of the proposed Vashi store.

What was initially expected to be a short wait allegedly continued for almost two years. As the months passed, Sawant reportedly became increasingly concerned about the investment and began asking when the business would finally begin.

The situation allegedly changed further when Sawant started seeking the return of his money.

Police said Karani allegedly began avoiding his calls and became increasingly difficult to contact.

“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,” DCP (Crime) Suresh Mengade said, according to the police.

For Sawant, the proposed partnership had reportedly moved far beyond a simple business delay. The promised store had not opened, the investment had allegedly not been returned and communication with the person who had proposed the venture had become increasingly difficult.

Eventually, Sawant approached the police.

Complaint filed in June 2012

After his alleged attempts to recover the money failed, Sawant filed a police complaint in June 2012.

Investigators began looking for Karani, but locating him proved difficult.

Police said Karani frequently moved between rented flats in South Mumbai. Rather than staying at one address for an extended period, he allegedly shifted residences repeatedly.

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

The frequent changes reportedly created a major challenge for investigators. Every time police attempted to establish his whereabouts, the accused had allegedly moved elsewhere.

Investigators therefore began looking beyond his residential addresses and started examining his movements and travel patterns.

Radio cabs provide investigators with a breakthrough

The investigation eventually produced an important lead.

Police reportedly discovered that Karani frequently used radio cabs to travel to meetings.

Investigators then approached a cab company and used travel information to help trace his movements.

The information eventually helped police identify a rented flat in Chembur.

Officers reached the location, found Karani there and arrested him in connection with the alleged cheating case.

The development marked a significant breakthrough in a case that had remained unresolved for years.

Six mobile phones and 16 SIM cards recovered

Police said they recovered six mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from Karani.

The recovery has become an important part of the investigation because officers are examining the communication records and contacts associated with the devices.

Investigators are looking into whether the phones and SIM cards can help establish Karani’s movements, identify people he allegedly communicated with and provide information about his business dealings.

Police are also examining whether multiple phone numbers were used to maintain contact with different people.

The digital evidence could potentially help investigators determine whether the alleged cheating of Sawant was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern.

Police suspect similar business proposals may have been used

As investigators examined Karani’s background and alleged business dealings, they reportedly found information about another case involving a similar smartphone retail business proposal.

According to police, Karani, along with Shibu Madhavan and Afzal Kapadia, had allegedly been involved in another case concerning a Goregaon-based businessman.

The businessman was allegedly promised a share in a smartphone retail venture and was subsequently cheated of approximately ₹28.8 lakh, according to police.

The similarities between the two cases have prompted investigators to examine whether a comparable business proposal was allegedly used to approach different businessmen.

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

Investigators are now looking into whether there could be a connection between the earlier case and Sawant’s complaint.

A business proposal that allegedly became a financial nightmare

At the centre of the case is the promise of a profitable mobile phone retail business.

For Sawant, the proposal reportedly offered more than just an investment opportunity. He was allegedly being offered a partnership in a business that would operate from Vashi and deal in high-end mobile phones.

The proposed venture appeared to have a clear commercial plan — rent a shop, stock premium handsets and earn profits through retail sales.

But according to police, none of those plans materialised.

Instead, Sawant allegedly spent months waiting for the store to open. The delay eventually stretched to nearly two years, and his attempts to recover the money allegedly led nowhere.

The matter ultimately reached the police, beginning an investigation that would continue for years.

Tracking an accused who allegedly kept moving

One of the most challenging aspects of the investigation was reportedly locating Karani.

Police said he repeatedly changed rented accommodation and had no stable address that investigators could easily track.

His alleged pattern of moving between locations in South Mumbai meant that traditional efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.

Investigators eventually turned their attention to his travel habits.

The discovery that he frequently used radio cabs reportedly provided police with a new avenue of investigation. By working with a cab company and examining travel information, officers were eventually able to narrow down his location.

The trail ultimately led to Chembur, where police arrested him.

Investigation now focuses on money trail and contacts

Following the arrest, investigators are examining the financial transactions connected with the alleged ₹4.4-crore fraud.

Police are also studying the recovered phones and SIM cards to understand Karani’s alleged contacts and communications.

The investigation could help establish whether he was in contact with other businessmen who may have been offered similar business opportunities.

Officers are also looking into the proposed Vashi business and the circumstances surrounding the money allegedly invested by Sawant.

The police are expected to examine financial records and other available evidence to establish the movement of funds and determine what happened after the money was allegedly handed over.

Could there be more alleged victims?

Another important aspect of the investigation is whether Sawant was the only businessman allegedly targeted.

The police’s reference to an earlier Goregaon case involving a similar smartphone retail proposal has raised questions about whether other people may have been approached with comparable promises.

Investigators are therefore examining Karani’s business contacts and communication records.

The six phones and 16 SIM cards recovered from him could provide additional leads if they contain communications with other prospective investors or business associates.

Police are also looking into whether any additional complaints could be connected to the same alleged pattern.

A long wait for answers

For Sawant, the case reportedly began with the expectation of building a profitable business.

Instead, the promised store in Vashi never opened, and the businessman allegedly spent years trying to recover his money.

The case also demonstrates the difficulties investigators can face when an accused person allegedly changes residences frequently and becomes difficult to trace.

In this case, police reportedly followed a different route by examining travel patterns and radio-cab usage. That lead eventually helped them locate Karani in Chembur.

With the arrest now made, investigators have an opportunity to examine the financial and digital evidence in greater detail.

Police continue to examine the wider allegations

The Navi Mumbai Police are continuing their investigation into the alleged ₹4.4-crore cheating case.

Investigators are examining the financial transactions, mobile phones, SIM cards, communication records and alleged business connections associated with Karani.

They are also looking into the earlier case involving the alleged ₹28.8-lakh fraud in Goregaon and whether it has any connection with Sawant’s complaint.

The central questions for investigators are how the ₹4.4 crore was allegedly handled, whether the proposed Vashi mobile business was ever genuinely planned and whether other businessmen may have been approached with similar promises.

For now, the allegations against Karani remain subject to the legal process. The police investigation and subsequent court proceedings will determine the facts and establish the responsibility of those involved.

What started as a promise of a profitable mobile phone partnership ultimately became, according to the allegations, a long-running financial dispute and police investigation — with the trail eventually leading investigators to a Chembur flat and an arrest years after the original complaint.

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