Pune: Bavdhan Resident Cheated of Rs 23 Lakh in Airport Gift Redemption Scam
Bavdhan, 11th February 2024: A resident of Bavdhan, Pune, fell prey to a fraudulent scheme where a gang exploited his trust, resulting in a loss of ₹23 lakh under the guise of redeeming a purported gift at the airport.
The deceptive plot unfolded between November 11, 2023, and December 30, 2023, prompting the victim, Kedar Chandrasekhar Mohire, to file a formal complaint with the Hinjawadi Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad Police.
A case has been registered against several individuals, including Dr Preeti Johnson, Paul Mark, Lakshmi Bhatia, Anup Kumar, Abhijit Mondal, and Haroon Rashid, based on Mohire’s account of the fraudulent activities.
According to the police investigation, Mohire, who was employed at a company in Phursungi, first encountered Dr. Preeti Johnson, one of the accused, through a Facebook friend request. Subsequently, Johnson initiated contact via WhatsApp and claimed to be sending a gift to Mohire, citing intentions to collaborate on a hospital project in India. However, Mohire soon discovered that this purported gift was merely a ruse, as he was coerced into paying exorbitant charges under the guise of receiving it at the airport.
Hinjawadi Police are investigating the matter further.
