Navi Mumbai Police Arrest Man Accused of Cheating Businessman of ₹4.4 Crore in Fake Mobile Store Deal

Navi Mumbai: A business proposal that promised a lucrative future in the mobile phone trade allegedly turned into a ₹4.4-crore fraud for a Govandi-based businessman, after police arrested a 30-year-old Ghatkopar resident accused of cheating him.

The accused, Deepak Karani, was arrested after police tracked him to a rented flat in Chembur, following an investigation that reportedly took several months. According to the police, Karani had allegedly convinced businessman Satish Sawant, 40, to invest money in a proposed mobile phone and handheld-device retail business.

The alleged fraud dates back to 2010, when Karani approached Sawant with what appeared to be a promising business opportunity. He reportedly told Sawant that they would become partners and open a store in Vashi to sell high-end mobile phones and other electronic handheld devices.

Karani allegedly promised Sawant a substantial share of the profits from the proposed venture.

The proposal initially appeared attractive, but according to the police, the promised business never materialised.

Two years of delays raised questions

After Sawant agreed to the arrangement and handed over money, Karani allegedly continued postponing the launch of the business.

For nearly two years, the proposed store reportedly remained only a promise. According to police, Karani repeatedly delayed the venture despite Sawant asking about the progress of the business.

When Sawant eventually sought the return of his money, Karani allegedly began avoiding his calls.

The repeated delays and inability to recover his investment eventually prompted Sawant to approach the police.

Complaint filed, but accused was difficult to trace

Sawant reportedly approached the police in June 2012, seeking action over the alleged financial fraud.

However, tracing Karani proved difficult for investigators. Police said he had changed his residence after the complaint was made and had been staying in different rented flats across South Mumbai.

According to police officials, Karani frequently shifted from one location to another, making it difficult for investigators to establish his whereabouts.

DCP (Crime) Suresh Mengade said Karani had reportedly changed residences several times during the investigation.

Police claimed that he had moved between rented accommodation and had changed his residence eight times in the previous nine months.

The frequent changes allegedly allowed him to stay away from investigators while continuing to meet people through arrangements that made it difficult to establish a fixed location.

Police follow radio-cab trail

The breakthrough came when investigators managed to identify one of Karani’s residences.

Police were reportedly informed that the accused frequently used radio cabs to travel to meetings.

This information provided investigators with another possible way to track his movements.

According to DCP Mengade, investigators began looking into Karani’s travel patterns and sought assistance from a cab company. By following the information available through the cab service, police were eventually able to identify a flat in Chembur where Karani was staying.

Officers then reached the location and arrested him.

The arrest brought an end to the police’s efforts to locate the accused, who had allegedly been moving between different rented properties.

Multiple phones and SIM cards recovered

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

The recovery of multiple phones and SIM cards is expected to be examined as part of the investigation, particularly to determine whether the devices were used to communicate with other alleged victims or associates.

Investigators were also looking into whether the accused had used different phone numbers while changing locations and conducting meetings.

The digital and communication records could potentially provide further information about the alleged fraud and help police identify other people who may have been involved.

Police suspect similar cases

The investigation reportedly took a wider turn after police suspected that the alleged fraud involving Sawant may not have been an isolated incident.

According to police, Karani was allegedly involved in a similar scheme targeting other people by offering them opportunities to invest in the mobile phone retail business.

Investigators reportedly found indications that a similar promise had previously been made to a businessman from Goregaon.

In that case, Karani, along with alleged associates Shibu Madhavan and Afzal Kapadia, was accused of cheating the businessman of around ₹28.8 lakh.

The alleged incident involved a promise of a share in a smartphone retail business.

Police said the case was registered in April, and one of the alleged associates, Kapadia, was arrested before subsequently being released on bail.

Alleged pattern of business promises

According to the police investigation, the cases raised questions about whether the accused had been using business proposals involving mobile phones and smartphones to attract potential investors.

The proposed ventures reportedly appeared legitimate on the surface, with promises of retail stores, high-end mobile phones and attractive profit-sharing arrangements.

However, police alleged that the promised businesses did not materialise as expected and that investors were subsequently left attempting to recover their money.

Investigators are now examining whether there were other people who may have been approached through similar proposals.

Investigation focuses on money trail

With the accused arrested, investigators are expected to focus on the financial trail surrounding the alleged transactions.

The police will need to establish how the money was received, where it was transferred and whether it was used for any legitimate business purpose.

The recovered phones and SIM cards may also provide investigators with additional leads, particularly if they contain communications with alleged victims or associates.

Police are also likely to examine the relationship between Karani and the other individuals named in the earlier case.

A promising business deal turns into a police case

For Sawant, what was presented as an opportunity to enter the growing mobile phone retail market allegedly ended with a significant financial loss and years of uncertainty.

The case also illustrates the risks that can arise when large sums of money are handed over on the basis of informal business promises without the proposed venture being properly established.

According to the police, the investigation eventually led them from the accused’s changing residences to his travel patterns and finally to the Chembur flat where he was arrested.

Probe continues

Although Karani has been arrested, the investigation does not end with his detention.

Police are expected to examine the documents, communication records, phones and SIM cards recovered during the operation. Investigators may also question people connected with the alleged transactions and look into whether additional victims were approached using similar business proposals.

The police will also investigate the alleged involvement of other individuals in the earlier ₹28.8-lakh case.

The allegations described in the case are based on the police investigation, and an arrest does not by itself establish guilt. The accused remains entitled to due process, and the final determination will depend on the evidence presented before the appropriate legal authorities and courts.

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