PHAGWARA: In a significant case of financial fraud, the Phagwara police have registered a criminal case against a couple for allegedly duping a local resident of Rs 78.5 lakh under the false pretext of allotting a petrol pump.
The complaint was lodged by Amrik Singh, a resident of Urban Estate, Phagwara, who accused Balbir Ram and his wife Seema Rani of cheating him by promising a dealership for a petrol pump. The accused, originally hailing from Village Thalla near Phillaur, are currently residing in Regency Town, Phagwara.
Station House Officer (City) Phagwara Usha Rani while confirming it told here today that the complainant alleged in his complaint that the couple assured him that they had strong connections with officials in the petroleum sector and could secure him a petrol pump allotment if he paid the necessary “processing fees” and other charges. Trusting their claims, Singh transferred a total sum of Rs 78, 50, 000 over a period of time. However, after the money was paid, the couple failed to deliver on their promise and stopped responding to the complainant.
Realizing he had been deceived, Singh approached the police with documentary evidence of the financial transactions and the communication he had with the accused.
Based on the prima facie evidence, the Phagwara City Police have registered a case against Balbir Ram and Seema Rani under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
SHO confirmed that a formal FIR has been lodged and efforts are underway to trace the accused, who are currently absconding.
“We are investigating the financial trail and verifying whether the accused have committed similar frauds in the past. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations to apprehend them, ” the SHO stated.
Police officials have urged the public to exercise caution in financial dealings involving large sums and to verify the authenticity of claims related to government or corporate allotments.No arrest has been made till so far.