Ladki Bahin Yojana: 5 Defraud 65 Women For iPhone Loan, Embezzle ₹20 Lakh
Mumbai: The Police have arrested five persons for allegedly defrauding 65 women in the name of the Maharashtra government scheme 'Ladki Bhai Yojana'. The incident in Mankhurd, near Chembur, came to light on Sunday. The scammers had promised to assist them in obtaining loans to purchase iPhones, but tricked the victims into submitting their documents and using their signatures for fraudulent purposes.
The accused submitted documents to a private finance company to secure an iPhone loan and embezzled a total amount of 20 lakh.
Women gather in huge numbers to participate in the programme organised under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.The scammers had promised to assist them in obtaining loans to purchase iPhones but tricked the victims into submitting their documents and using their signatures for fraudulent purposes.
The incident was first reported to the Mankhurd police station by an employee of a finance company that provides loans to individuals for purchasing electronic items and other goods, according to a police statement. The 30-year-old employee told the police that in November 2024, they became aware that 65 individuals had stopped paying their monthly installments.
“When they started probing, it came to light that five persons identified as Sumeet Gaikwad, Raju Borade, Roshan, Danish, and Shahrukh had approached them between April 4, 2024, and August 29, 2024, under the pretext of helping them obtain benefits under the government’s Ladki Bahin scheme,” an officer said, as quoted by Indian Express.
The accused collected Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and bank passbooks of the victims after calling them to a spot in Mankhurd. The victims were then taken to several locations, including two stores in Andheri and Kurla, the police stated. The accused exploited the victims' lack of education and used their documents and signatures to secure loans for purchasing iPhones.
The police also added that the accused gave a small sum of money to the victims to gain trust. Pretending it was the initial payment under a government scheme, and assured them that subsequent payments would be directly credited to their bank accounts.
What Is Ladki Bahin Yojana?
The Ladki Bahin Yojana was announced by the Maharashtra government last year to provide financial assistance of Rs.1,500 every month to women. This scheme aims to empower women by offering them financial support. Registration for the scheme was available through both online and offline methods.
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