Mumbai: A 59-year-old Chartered Accountant from Dadar, Bharat Dhanji Gala, has reportedly fallen victim to a financial scam amounting to Rs 1.64 crore, orchestrated by a youth from Jodhpur. The accused, identified as 25-year-old Mohammad Akram Abdul Sattar, allegedly lured Gala with promises of high-value accounting contracts in reputed companies but failed to deliver on his assurances.

The incident traces back to January 2024 when Akram visited Gala’s office in Dadar East. Posing as a company secretary from Jodhpur, he claimed to have strong connections with well-known businessmen Praful Patel and Ravi Jain. Akram convinced Gala that these connections could secure him large-scale accounting projects, presenting a seemingly lucrative opportunity.

To further solidify his claims, Akram introduced a fictional associate named Ashish Agarwal, whom he described as a prominent businessman from Jaipur. He told Gala that Agarwal was setting up new companies due to a family property division and required a Chartered Accountant for registration, GST filings and taxation services.

Victim Took Bank Loans, Borrowed Money To Transfer ₹1.64 Cr

Gala, enticed by the potential business prospects, proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 1,64,56,944 to the bank accounts provided by Akram, reported Lokmat Times. The transactions were conducted via online banking, Google Pay and other digital payment methods.

To facilitate these payments, Gala went to significant lengths, taking loans from banks, maxing out credit cards and borrowing money from friends and relatives. His financial situation has since deteriorated, with mounting pressure from creditors demanding repayment.

When Gala began asking for his money back, Akram assured him that repayments would commence from September 23, 2024. He also promised to issue six cheques of Rs 20 lakh each and provide a written undertaking for Rs 45 lakh by September 30, 2024. However, neither the cheques nor the promised funds ever materialised.

The situation escalated when Gala’s wife contacted Akram regarding the repayment. Instead of cooperating, he allegedly misbehaved and used abusive language. Realising the extent of the fraud, Gala approached the Bhoiwada Police and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Akram, accusing him of financial deception.

The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter. Authorities are now working to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount.