In a disturbing turn of events, a fraud case has emerged in Mangalore, where an individual identified as Prakash Pujari is accused of defrauding the public of ₹20.50 lakhs by falsely claiming to facilitate loans under the central government’s Mudra scheme. The case has been registered at the Kankanadi Nagar police station.
Details of the Scam
Prakash Pujari purportedly posed as an authorised agent of the Mudra Yojana, a scheme designed to provide financial assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Despite initial rejections from individuals such as Anil, who was employed at an ice-cream parlour, Pujari continued to lure victims with promises of large loan approvals.
Victims were instructed to pay processing fees amounting to ₹1.50 lakhs to secure their loans. Numerous individuals complied, transferring funds via NEFT to Pujari. However, after these payments were made, the loan applications did not materialise, and Pujari vanished, leaving his mobile phone switched off. This disappearance has led to growing concerns from his family members about his whereabouts.
List of Defrauded Individuals
The fraudulent scheme impacted several individuals, with the following amounts reported stolen:
- Anil: ₹15 lakhs
- Disha D. Nayak: ₹1.50 lakhs
- Sunil: ₹50 thousand
- Veda: ₹1 lakh
- Swati M.: ₹4.50 lakhs
- Narendra Shetty: ₹5 lakhs
- Veena Naik: ₹1 lakh
- Mahesh Mesta: ₹1 lakh
- Karthik: ₹1 lakh
- Leelavati: ₹2 lakhs
- Nityanand Mesta: ₹1 lakh
The total amount defrauded sums up to ₹20.50 lakhs, highlighting the extensive impact of Pujari’s deceitful actions.
Allegations Against Pujari’s Family
Further allegations suggest that Pujari’s wife and mother may have also been involved or received money related to the fraudulent activities. This complicates the case and raises questions about the extent of the family’s involvement in the scam.
Law Enforcement Response
The Kankanadi Nagar police station has initiated an investigation into the matter. Authorities are actively seeking Pujari, who remains at large. The police are working to track down his location and bring him to justice, while also investigating the potential involvement of his family members.
Prevention and Awareness
This case underscores the need for vigilance when dealing with financial transactions and loan applications. The public is advised to verify the credentials of any agent or representative claiming to offer financial services, especially when dealing with government schemes.
Conclusion
The fraudulent activities orchestrated by Prakash Pujari have left many individuals financially devastated and seeking justice. The ongoing investigation aims to recover the stolen funds and hold all responsible parties accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in financial dealings and the need for robust measures to combat financial fraud.