Bengaluru: Demonetisation deal goes awry, realtors robbed of Rs 90 lakh

Bengaluru: A gang of realtors, who wanted to take advantage of the recent demonetisation of old currency notes, were duped to the tune of Rs 90 lakh in new currency by miscreants, who robbed them posing as CCB policemen in J.P. Nagar police station limits.

According to the police, realtors Shivaram, Satish and their friends, some of them working in private companies, fell prey to an offer of 20 per cent commission for exchanging old currencies with new ones.

As per their complaint, one, Akshay, had contacted them over phone and informed that he and his friends had demonetised currency of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations, totaling Rs 1.25 crore. He reportedly offered them 20 per cent commission if they provided them valid tender worth Rs 90 lakh.

“After several rounds of discussion over phone, Shivaram and Satish agreed for the deal. By Thursday, 10-12 members pooled Rs 90 lakh in Rs 2,000 and Rs 100 denominations. In the evening, they called Akshay and told him the money was ready. Akshay said he wanted to see the cash and the duo agreed. He came to Satish’s house in J. P. Nagar and saw the cash and called his friends to bring old currencies,” the police said.

“After a while, three people arrived in a car and claimed that they were from the CCB. They questioned Shivaram and Satish about the money, but they could provide no convincing answers. They loaded the cash bags to the car and told the duo to accompany them. Midway, they asked them to get down and escaped. At first Shivaram and Satish were hesitant to approach the police, but later they filed a complaint,” the police added. The police have formed special teams and are verifying the call details report.