Mumbai: Businessman duped out of Rs 50 lakh by tea seller

A Fort-based tea vendor and his daughter allegedly cheated a businessman out of Rs 50 lakh, while promising him get the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 exchanged. The former was friends with the accused

A Fort-based tea vendor and his daughter allegedly cheated a businessman out of Rs 50 lakh, while promising him get the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 exchanged. The former, who was friends with the accused, was going to make a court payment with the money.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the tea vendor, Jay Narayan Vyas, 65, whose shop was located in the Killa Court premises became friends with the businessman Mrutyunjay Saroj Thakur, who would visit his shop after they struck up a friendship, whenever he went to court. After being told by his lawyer, that he needed Rs 50 lakh for the case, Thakur arranged for the money but most of the currency was in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, which were demonetised by the government last month.

Vyas offered to get the notes exchanged but Thakur, was initially reluctant but after receiving constant calls he relented and gave him the amount. Vyas left in a taxi after asking Thakur to wait for him in the tea stall. Thakur became aware of the deception after being told by a mutual friend that Vyas' daughter had fled the city with the cash. He met with Vyas later in the night, who wept, apologised and promised him to return his money at the earliest.

Thakur however approached the Azad Maidan Police, after Vyas stopped answering his calls. Vyas has been booked under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, and other relevant sections.

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