Duo dupe NRI of ₹75L, promise 300% returns

Hyderabad: A criminal case was registered by Hyderabad police against two persons for allegedly duping an NRI after collecting 75 lakh as investment for making a movie and investing in oil and gas auction bids.
The NRI approached central crime station sleuths, claiming that she came across an advertisement on a social media account, inviting financiers interested in the production of a movie.She was informed that the movie’s story would be based on Hindu suffering and Sanatan dharma. Discussions were held over video calls.

The complainant was lured with an assurance that in less than a year, she would get a 300 per cent return. She invested 25 lakh, hoping to get high returns. The accused allegedly told her that the movie would be played even on a govt-sponsored channel besides on an OTT platform.The accused approached the NRI, claiming that the govt of India was floating a tender to bid for an oil and gas well. The bidding amount was reportedly 3 crore. The accused impressed the NRI, claiming that there would be higher profit on the investment. The complainant invested 50 lakh. As per the agreement, if they failed to get the contract, the investment would be returned.
Later, she came to know that the accused did not get the contract, and when she insisted on the return of the money, the accused were buying time. She found that the accused’s company did not participate in the bid and she was conned. The company shut the shop in 2019, and the fraudsters were collecting money after the firm was closed.
The accused failed to return her money and threatened her, warning her not to return to India. There could be more victims whom the accused had cheated. The accused were booked on the charge of 120 B (conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) of IPC. The victim paid money to the accused through online transactions.