The Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police arrested a couple for allegedly duping several people of nearly 170 crore by promising huge returns for their investment. The police said though the case was registered in June, the accused were located in Surat on Thursday after which they were arrested.
According to the police, the two arrested persons have been identified as Ashesh Mehta (41) and Shivangi Lad Mehta (34) and they were running a stock broking firm named Bliss Consultants.
“The couple would ask the investors to download their DIFM app after which they would make them register and pay money through their app. The money was deposited in their firm’s account and the couple alleged they will be generating profits by investing the money in the stock market,” said a senior police officer.
In order to lure investors and get more people to invest in their firm, the couple even gave them hefty returns initially while in their DIFM app they showed that the investors have already earned a hefty profit within a month.
One of the victims in the case is former MLA Krishna Hegde who, speaking with The Indian Express said, “As a commission, the couple said they will take 30 percent of the profit generated through their firm. However, after seeking investment from a large number of people, the two escaped.”
The investors along with Hedge then approached Mumbai Police and a case of cheating was initially registered at Amboli police station following which the investigation was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing.
“I thanked CM Shri Eknath Shinde ji for directing that Bliss funds be frozen and also directing a look-out notice to be issued so that Ashesh Mehta and Shivangi Lad Mehta could not flee the country,” said Hegde in a press statement.
The officials further added that the couple were then located in Surat on Thursday evening after which they were brought to Mumbai and arrested.