Mumbai: Man poses as NGO head, dupes firm of Rs 10 lakh

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The Marine Drive police have booked an unknown person for allegedly parading as the president of an NGO working in aid of pets and animals, and swindling money.

On January 20, the gas, ship and logistics firm had got a call from a person identified as D R Londhe, who claimed he was the president of NGO Utkarsh Global Foundation. He told officials at the company that the NGO had to pay Rs 2.27 lakh as rent every month, and hadn't paid it since six months, due to unavailability of funds.

The owner of the company believed the case was genuine and decided to donate Rs 10 lakh to the NGO. After transferring the money, the owner of the company called up the CEO of the Maharashtra Maritime Board, who, Londhe said, had also donated to their NGO, about the transaction. The CEO in turn told the owner that he never heard of such an NGO and never donated any money. This resulted in the company registering a complaint against an unknown person.

"Initially, the company thought that the NGO was bogus, but later during investigations it was found that the NGO Utkarsh Global Foundation does exist and D R Londhe is the president, but he never called anyone for a donation," added the officer. mid-day contacted Londhe, who said, "This is really unfortunate and gives a bad name to our respected NGO." An FIR has been filed in Marine Drive Police station against an unknown person under IPC sections 419 and 420.

Rs 2.27L
Amount man claimed the NGO had to pay as rent every month