MUMBAI: A Dubai-based Indian businesswoman has filed a complaint with Mumbai Police alleging that a Pune couple cheated her of Rs 1.13 crore under the pretext of securing a medical college seat for her daughter in Mumbai or Pune.
The woman, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), lodged the FIR at Powai police station on Tuesday, accusing the couple—identified as Karan B and his wife Soumya—of fraud and intimidation. No arrests have been made so far.
According to the complaint, the businesswoman came into contact with the couple in 2019 during one of her visits to Pune and reconnected with them in Powai in 2023, shortly after her daughter passed her Class 12 exams. The couple allegedly demanded Rs 3 crore in exchange for securing a medical admission and asked for an advance of Rs 1.13 crore, which she paid in cash at a Powai hotel.
She claimed that after receiving the payment, the couple stopped responding to her calls and messages. When she confronted them, they allegedly threatened to damage her reputation and challenged her to recover the money. “They kept delaying the admission process, offering excuses and false assurances,” she told the police.
The complaint further states that when she demanded a refund, the couple issued two cheques, both of which bounced. A police officer confirmed that the transaction was captured on CCTV and that the complainant has submitted visual proof. “The couple not only failed to deliver on their promise but also resorted to threats when pressed for a refund,” the officer said.
The police have launched an investigation and are currently gathering information about the couple’s whereabouts in Pune before proceeding with further legal action.
