Alert builder helps cops nab conman in Mumbai

An alert builder, with the help of the Mahim police, nabbed a conman posing as an income tax commissioner and deputy municipal commissioner and demanding donations in cash from builders, businessmen and traders for the treatment of his relatives or friends admitted in private hospitals.

The builder and cops also nabbed his female associate involved in the crime. “Krishna Tandel, 43, a Girgaon resident, and Deepali alias Pooja Kondake, 23, a Mumbra resident, under sections 420 (Cheating) and 34 (Common intention) IPC on Tuesday,” said senior inspector Bapusaheb Pawar, adding that a manhunt has been launched to nab Deepali’s father Shankar and his two associates who were also involved.

Mahendra Salunkhe, 38, partner in M/s. MK Builders and Developers was at his Mahim office when he got a call, on Tuesday morning. The caller introduced himself as SS Gaikwad, deputy municipal commissioner, and requested some money from him saying that his close friend, suffering from malaria, was admitted in a private hospital at Sion.

Salunkhe told him to collect Rs10,000 from his office. The caller told him that he would send his female staffer Pooja to collect the money.

Salunkhe recalled that the caller with the same voice had introduced himself as income tax commissioner OP Shukla in September and cited the same reason for needing money. He called the Mahim police who laid a trap outside his office. Around 3pm, Pooja arrived carrying bogus medical prescriptions.