Rajasthan Duo Arrested For Duping Mumbai Supplier Of ₹17.65 Lakh

A cross-state operation by the police has led to the arrest of two men from Rajasthan for allegedly cheating a Borivali-based chemical supplier out of ₹17.65 lakh. The accused, identified as Lalit Bisnoi and Vikas Bisnoi, posed as representatives of a fictitious firm called Ramdev Industries.

The duo placed orders for industrial chemicals between June 24 and July 1, claiming they were needed for wood finishing. They procured 62 barrels of ethyl acetate and seven barrels of mixed xylene, worth ₹16.03 lakh and ₹1.62 lakh respectively. However, investigators suspect the chemicals were not meant for furniture or woodwork, but were likely diverted to clandestine drug manufacturing units.

To build credibility, the accused used forged identity documents, including fake Aadhaar and PAN cards, alongside counterfeit letterheads and visiting cards. They also created a false trail by sending fabricated PhonePe screenshots and UTR numbers to the supplier, Nirmit Ajmera, to simulate genuine online payments.

The fraud came to light on July 27, when Ajmera realised that his current account had not received any credit from the accused. He formally lodged a complaint with the police on August 13, leading to a coordinated investigation between Mumbai's North Zone-2 team and Jodhpur's East division.

Cyber intelligence, mobile tower data, and physical surveillance played a key role in tracing the suspects. In a cautious operation, two undercover officers from the District Task Force posed as locals and kept watch on the accused for two days before arresting them as they attempted to leave their village.

The police noted that a direct raid inside the village was ruled out due to the hostile local population. Further investigation revealed that the duo opened fictitious accounts under company names like Shyam Industries and contacted at least 39 chemical suppliers.

The accused have no links to the infamous Bishnoi gang, but belong to a tight-knit group allegedly involved in procuring industrial solvents for drug syndicates. The case highlights the growing concern of chemical diversion for illicit drug production.

The arrest of the Rajasthan duo is a significant breakthrough in the case, and the police are continuing their investigation to uncover the extent of the chemical diversion network. The use of fake UPI receipts and forged IDs has become a common modus operandi for fraudsters, and the police are warning businesses to be vigilant when dealing with new clients.

The Mumbai police have advised chemical suppliers to verify the authenticity of their clients and to be cautious when receiving online payments. The case is a reminder of the importance of due diligence and the need for businesses to be aware of the risks of chemical diversion.

In conclusion, the arrest of the Rajasthan duo is a significant step in combating chemical diversion for illicit drug production. The police are continuing their investigation, and the case serves as a warning to businesses to be vigilant when dealing with new clients and to verify the authenticity of online payments.