Verna police have initiated a formal investigation into a significant case of business fraud, involving a substantial sum of money and alleged forgery in the export of green chillies to Dubai. An FIR has been officially registered against an individual from Pune, accusing him of cheating a local business proprietor out of over nine lakh rupees.
Details of the Alleged Export Scam
According to the complaint filed with the authorities, the incident revolves around a proposed business deal in the export of green chillies. The complainant, Nagaraj Ratnakar Prabhu, who operates the Import Export Federation in Sancoale's Upasnagar, was approached by the accused, Niraj Salunke. Salunke, a native of Pune, reportedly persuaded Prabhu to invest a significant amount of Rs 10.6 lakh into the green chillies business. He presented a compelling case, citing high demand in the Dubai market and the promise of substantial profits from the venture.
Forgery and Misrepresentation Uncovered
The case took a fraudulent turn when the accused, operating with deceptive intent, allegedly committed a serious act of forgery. Without the knowledge or consent of Nagaraj Prabhu, Salunke is accused of forging crucial shipment documents. He reportedly used the victim's official signature and seal on these papers to facilitate the shipment of the green chilli consignment to Dubai.
Following the shipment, Salunke travelled to Dubai. Once there, he contacted the complainant with a false narrative, claiming that the prices for green chillies had fallen sharply in the Dubai market. Based on this misrepresentation, he proceeded to sell the exported goods at significantly lower prices. This series of actions resulted in a wrongful loss of approximately Rs 9 lakh for the Sancoale-based businessman.
Police Investigation Underway
The Verna police station is actively investigating the matter. The case has been registered based on the detailed complaint by Nagaraj Ratnakar Prabhu. PSI Rajdatt Arsekar is leading the investigative efforts to uncover the full extent of the fraud and to take appropriate legal action against the accused. The authorities are examining the forged documents and the financial trail to build a solid case.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for businesses and exporters to exercise heightened due diligence, especially in international trade deals and when dealing with new partners. Verifying credentials and maintaining direct control over official documentation are crucial steps to prevent such sophisticated frauds.
