Garment Dealer Loses Rs 1 Lakh New Currency and Rs 20 Lakh Demonetised Notes in Fraud
Wadala Businessman Deceived by Currency Exchange Scam
Finding the Demonetised Notes
Nafeez Haji Ali Khan, a 54-year-old garment dealer from Wadala, Mumbai, fell victim to a fraudulent currency exchange scheme in 2023. He lost Rs 1 lakh in new currency and Rs 20 lakh in demonetised notes. The demonetised notes were found in 2023 after his son’s death, who had kept them from his business but couldn’t exchange them following the 2016 demonetisation.
The Deceptive Currency Exchange Plan
In February 2023, during his business hardships, Khan was approached by Intezar Kazi and Kalim Shaikh. They claimed to know someone who could exchange the currency. He was promised Rs 10 lakh for the Rs 20 lakh demonetised currency, and was asked to pay Rs 1 lakh commission separately.
The Fake Arrest Scenario
On March 19, 2023, Khan was asked to bring the currency in a school bag to Hiranandani Gardens in Powai. After giving the money to a person named ‘Ganesh’, a car appeared suddenly. A man got out of the car, posing as a cop, and took Ganesh into the car before driving away.
The Police Investigation
The Powai police have filed a case against three individuals for impersonation and cheating under BNS sections. The authorities have traced the vehicle using the registration number Khan recorded.
- Khan lost Rs 1 lakh in new currency and Rs 20 lakh in demonetised notes.
- The scammers faked an arrest scene to deceive Khan.
- The Powai police have traced the vehicle used in the crime.
Quotes
“Khan, facing business difficulties, wanted to exchange the demonetised money to alleviate his financial problems.” – Powai police station officer
“I was also asked to pay Rs 1 lakh commission separately. On Mar 19, I was told to come near Hiranandani Gardens in Powai with the currency in a school bag.” – Nafeez Haji Ali Khan
“A man came out of the car claiming to be a cop and forcefully took Ganesh into the car before driving away.” – Nafeez Haji Ali Khan
“The authorities have filed a case against three individuals for impersonation and cheating under BNS sections.”
