Pune: South Korean National and Accomplice Booked in Rs 2.04 Crore ‘Cafe Peter’ Franchise Fraud
Pune, 6th March 2026: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Pune City Police has registered a case against a South Korean national and his associate for allegedly defrauding a local businesswoman of ₹2.04 crore. The accused are charged with selling franchise rights to the popular brand “Cafe Peter” without authorization and misappropriating funds.
The FIR (No. 0048/2026) was registered on March 4, 2026, based on a complaint filed by Shweta Sachin Salunkhe (35), a resident of Vishal Nagar, Pimple Nilakh. Salunkhe, who operates a hospitality firm called Yum Singh Foodworks Pvt Ltd, alleged that the fraud took place between March 2022 and March 2026.
According to the complaint, the accused induced the victim into an agreement to purchase the trademark and franchise rights of “Cafe Peter” for a total consideration of ₹5 crore. The victim reportedly paid ₹2,04,93,000 in various installments via bank transfers and cash.
The investigation revealed that the primary accused, Chan Seok Jung (also known as Peter Jung), a South Korean national, and his associate Kamlesh Maruti Kale, allegedly created forged documents to appear as authorized representatives of the brand.
The victim discovered that while she was making payments, the accused were unauthorizedly collecting royalties and deposits from 29 other franchise outlets across Pune. Furthermore, they allegedly opened new outlets in areas like Nigdi, Wakad, and Kothrud without the company’s permission, collecting nearly ₹11 crore in unauthorized fees from various parties.
The police have named two individuals in the FIR:
Chan Seok Jung (alias Peter Jung): A South Korean national residing at Wadgaon Sheri, Pune.
Kamlesh Maruti Kale (38): A resident of Aundh, Pune.
The Bundgarden Police have booked the duo under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which replaced the IPC. The sections invoked include:
Section 318(4): Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
Section 316(2): Criminal breach of trust.
Section 3(5): Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.
The case has been taken up for investigation by Senior Police Inspector Santosh Laxman Pandhre.
