Suspect played against Tendulkar in school

Had it not been for his financial problems, Parag Parab, one of the two men arrested on Tuesday for cheating non-resident Indians (NRI) by making fake credits cards, could have been a successful cricketer or caterer.

Had it not been for his financial problems, Parag Parab, one of the two men arrested on Tuesday for cheating non-resident Indians (NRI) by making fake credits cards, could have been a successful cricketer or caterer.

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Parab told investigators that he had played opposite Tendulkar when he was 13 years old. He said he had led his school team and defeated Tendulkar.

When contacted, Jayant Hargude, assistant commissioner of police, said: “Parab claims to have been the cricket team captain of SK School in Borivli. He played against Shardashram School where Tendulkar led the cricket team.”

Parab said that Tendulkar congratulated him and even asked him to join his school. “However, he failed to make it as he could not afford a cricket kit,” an officer told the Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to media.

The officer said Parab went on to do a course in catering and even started his own venture, but was cheated by his partner.

Parab and Kotharia were arrested on Tuesday by unit 11 of the crime branch. They ran a syndicate across three continents —Asia (India), Europe and North America and the victims of their frauds were mostly from the US and the UK.