It was an easy life for two women from Thane.
It was an easy life for two women from Thane. They started a fraudulent investment scheme, allegedly cheated people of Rs94.65 lakh and splurged the invested money on vacations, ornaments and cars.
But, their luck soon ran out.
Officials of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the city crime branch recently arrested Saryu Darekar, 36, a domestic help, and her friend Supriya Bhosale, 24. They are both residents of Om Sai Apartment in the Rabodi area of Thane.
Bhosale told the police that she works at a private firm and earns Rs35,000 a month. But, her claims were found to be untrue when the police did a background check on her.
On March 5, Pradeep Mahadik, a resident of Jagruti Nagar in Ghatkopar, filed a complaint alleging that he had invested money in a scheme floated by Darekar and Bhosale and has been cheated.
Explaining the scheme, a police officer said, Darekar and Bhosale used to promise people on the investment of Rs1.10 lakh and interest of Rs10,000 per month for five months and in the sixth month the principal amount will be returned to them. Further, for the next 11 months, the investors would get Rs10,000 per month.
"The scheme became a hit through mouth-to-mouth publicity and many people mostly from the lower-middle class and middle class invested money with them. As there was no proper return arrangement to the investors in this scheme, things started getting awry and soon the two women closed down their office," said an EOW officer, requesting anonymity.
He added that when the investors didn't get the promised money, they made enquiries about the two women. They were shocked to learn that Darekar and her family had toured Delhi and Kashmir, while Bhosale had toured Singapore.
"They purchased expensive watches, furniture and ornaments believed to be from the money invested by people. Bhosale had also bought a car and had put up a duplicate vehicle registration number plate to avoid getting caught by the investors or police," said the officer.
Bhosale is believed to have also invested money in policies and shares, said the police, who have recovered property only worth Rs3 lakh from the duo.
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