Thane: 53-year-old chartered accountant cheated of Rs 59 lakh in 'rice puller' scam; four booked

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A 53-year-old chartered accountant was allegedly cheated of Rs 59 lakh by four men in the infamous 'rice puller metal' scam, Thane Police told news agency PTI on Wednesday.

The victim is based in London and he visits India intermittently, according to the investigation officer, reported PTI.

Police have registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and other charges against the four men. No arrest has been made so far, the officer told PTI.

The victim met one of the accused two years back at a hotel in Mumbai and they remained in touch.

"Later, the prime accused introduced the CA to three of his friends. They lured the CA into investing in rice pulling under the pretext of good returns. The victim paid them Rs 55 lakh in September 2022 and later Rs 4 lakh," the officer told PTI quoting the FIR.

The victim realised that he was cheated when the quartet started ignoring him and he never received any returns on the money paid by him, reported PTI.

The rice puller metal, also referred to as 'copper iridium', allegedly has rare powers and is used by aerospace organisations. The scam involves luring people into the metal on the promise of good returns.

Further investigation is underway.

In another case, Police have registered a case against a doctor in Navi Mumbai for allegedly abusing a businessman after the latter sought payment for the installation of CCTVs done by him at the doctor's hospital, an official told PTI on Thursday.

The incident took place on Wednesday when the 35-year-old victim went to the private hospital in Koparkhairne area of Navi Mumbai to collect the payment, the official told PTI.

The doctor allegedly refused to pay the bill for the work done and also abused the victim, the official from Koparkhairne police station told PTI.

Based on the victim's complaint, an FIR was registered against the doctor under Indian Penal Code sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), the official told PTI, adding a probe was on into the case.

(With inputs from PTI)