Mumbai man asks businessman for money to ‘buy diamond’, cheats him of Rs37.24 lakh

The Mumbai man and his friend paid the accused in instalments

An acquaintance cheated a 36-year-old Ghatkopar businessman of Rs37.24 lakh in cash, which he borrowed on the pretext of buying diamonds for business purposes.

The accused threatened the businessman with dire consequences if he spoke up about the crime. (HT File)

Daiwat Bajaria asked the police to register a case against the accused on Thursday. He said the man threatened him with dire consequences if he spoke up about the crime.

“Bajaria and the accused have known each other for years. We registered a case based on the businessman’s allegation. We will verify the facts and arrest the accused soon,” said V B Patil, senior inspector, Ghatkopar police station. The accused deals in gold and diamond. He approached Bajaria and his friend Bharat in May 2016 in New Maniklal, Ghatkopar, and put forth his business proposal.

They gave him the money in instalments, from May 2016 to December 2017. He, however, failed to return the sum.

When Bajaria asked for his cash back, the accused initially assured him that he would return the money soon. However, when he asked him once again recently , the accused threatened to kill him, said the police.