Rajasthan Duo Arrested for Allegedly Cheating Mumbai Chemical Supplier of ₹17.65 Lakh Using Fake UPI Receipts

Rajasthan Duo Arrested for Allegedly Cheating Mumbai Chemical Supplier of ₹17.65 Lakh Using Fake UPI Receipts and Forged Documents | Representative Image

Mumbai/Rajasthan: A cross-state investigation has led to the arrest of two young men from Rajasthan who allegedly cheated a Mumbai-based chemical supplier of ₹17.65 lakh by posing as representatives of a fictitious company and using forged documents and fake digital payment receipts.

The accused have been identified as Lalit Bisnoi, 26, and Vikas Bisnoi, 19, residents of Dangiyawas village near Jodhpur. Police have clarified that the two have no connection with the Bishnoi gang, despite the similarity in their surnames.

Investigators suspect that the chemicals purchased by the duo may have been diverted from their stated purpose of wood finishing to illegal drug manufacturing networks. Police are now examining their wider network and possible links to chemical suppliers and other individuals across several states.

Fake Company Used to Build Trust

According to investigators, the two men allegedly operated under the name Ramdev Industries, a company that police say was fictitious.

Between June 24 and July 1, the accused allegedly contacted a chemical supplier based in Mumbai’s Borivali area and placed orders for industrial solvents.

They reportedly claimed that the chemicals were required for wood finishing and related industrial work.

The orders included 62 barrels of ethyl acetate, weighing approximately 13,020 kg and valued at around ₹16.03 lakh.

They also allegedly purchased seven barrels of mixed xylene, weighing approximately 1,204 kg, worth about ₹1.62 lakh.

Together, the chemicals were valued at approximately ₹17.65 lakh.

However, investigators later began questioning whether the stated purpose of the chemicals was genuine.

Police Suspect Chemicals Were Diverted

Investigators suspect that the solvents may have eventually been supplied to clandestine drug manufacturing operations.

A senior Jodhpur police officer said the chemicals were likely diverted to illegal drug-related units.

Police have pointed out that ethyl acetate is not itself a primary precursor for drugs such as MDMA, but it can be used in laboratory processes including extraction and purification.

The authorities are therefore investigating where the chemicals went after leaving the legitimate supply chain and whether the accused were acting independently or as part of a larger network.

The suspected diversion has added another serious dimension to what initially appeared to be a financial fraud involving a chemical supplier.

Fake Payment Receipts Allegedly Used

The alleged fraud was carefully planned, according to investigators.

The accused reportedly used forged Aadhaar and PAN cards, along with fake company letterheads and visiting cards, to make their business identity appear genuine.

After receiving the chemical consignments, they allegedly sent the supplier fabricated PhonePe payment screenshots and fake UTR numbers to create the impression that the payments had been successfully transferred.

The digital receipts allegedly made it appear as though the supplier had received the money through legitimate online transactions.

However, the payments never reached the supplier’s bank account.

Fraud Discovered During Payment Verification

The alleged deception came to light on July 27, when supplier Nirmit Ajmera was checking payments connected with another transaction.

During the verification, Ajmera reportedly noticed that the amount expected from the accused had never been credited to his current account.

What initially appeared to be a routine payment issue soon raised suspicion.

Ajmera subsequently approached the police and formally filed a complaint on August 13.

The complaint triggered an investigation involving police teams from Mumbai and Rajasthan.

Mumbai and Jodhpur Teams Join Investigation

The investigation was carried out jointly by Mumbai’s North Zone-2 team and the Jodhpur East division.

Investigators used several methods to trace the accused, including cyber intelligence, mobile tower information and physical surveillance.

Police eventually located the suspects in their village near Jodhpur.

However, officers reportedly faced difficulties in conducting a direct raid because of the local environment.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Manishkumar Choudhary, residents in the area had previously resisted police operations and, in some cases, allegedly used women as human shields to prevent arrests.

Because of these concerns, investigators adopted a more cautious strategy.

Undercover Officers Kept Watch

Two officers from the District Task Force reportedly went undercover and posed as local residents.

They maintained surveillance on the suspects for approximately two days and monitored their movements.

The police waited for an appropriate opportunity rather than conducting an immediate raid inside the village.

The accused were eventually arrested while allegedly attempting to leave the area.

The operation allowed investigators to take the suspects into custody without triggering a confrontation with local residents.

Police Discover Wider Network

As the investigation progressed, police allegedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the two men may have been targeting chemical companies beyond the Mumbai supplier.

Investigators reportedly found that the accused had created or used fictitious business identities, including a company name such as Shyam Industries, and had approached chemical suppliers in multiple parts of the country.

According to police, they may have contacted at least 39 chemical companies across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.

This has raised concerns that the ₹17.65-lakh fraud may represent only one part of a much larger operation.

Investigators are now attempting to determine how many companies actually supplied chemicals to the accused and whether similar payment frauds were carried out elsewhere.

Rented Bank Accounts and Fake SIM Cards

Police also suspect that the accused took steps to conceal their identities and financial trail.

Investigators reportedly found that bank accounts belonging to other people were allegedly obtained on payment of commissions ranging between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000.

Such accounts could potentially make it more difficult for investigators to trace the movement of money.

The suspects also allegedly obtained SIM cards using forged documents, according to the investigation.

Police are now examining bank records, mobile numbers, digital communications and other evidence to establish how the alleged network operated.

Police Clarify No Bishnoi Gang Connection

The arrests generated additional attention because of the accused’s surname.

Police, however, have specifically clarified that Lalit Bisnoi and Vikas Bisnoi have no connection with the notorious Bishnoi gang.

Investigators instead suspect that the two belonged to a close-knit group allegedly involved in procuring industrial solvents for illegal drug networks.

Authorities are continuing to investigate whether other people were involved in arranging chemical purchases, creating fake identities, managing bank accounts or transporting the consignments.

Both Accused in Police Custody

The two accused are currently in police custody as investigators continue questioning them.

A key part of the investigation is determining how the alleged fake UPI and PhonePe payment confirmations were created and why they appeared convincing enough to deceive the supplier.

Police are also trying to establish the final destination of the chemicals purchased by the suspects.

The investigation could expand further if links are established with other suppliers, financial accounts or suspected drug manufacturing operations.

Investigation May Lead to More Arrests

With evidence pointing towards activity across several states, investigators believe the case may extend well beyond the original complaint filed in Mumbai.

The police are examining whether the suspects were working for a larger group and whether additional individuals helped arrange fake documents, bank accounts, SIM cards and transportation.

More arrests could follow if investigators identify other members of the alleged network.

For now, the case highlights the growing risks faced by businesses dealing in industrial chemicals, particularly when customers use sophisticated-looking digital payment confirmations and seemingly legitimate company documents.

What began as a ₹17.65-lakh payment fraud investigation has now widened into a probe involving alleged identity fraud, fictitious companies, chemical diversion and a possible interstate network.

Authorities are continuing to trace the financial and supply-chain trail to determine the full scale of the operation.

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