A group of women from Cumbum submitted individual complaints to the Superintendent of Police here against a woman and her father for allegedly cheating them to the tune of lakhs of rupees here on Saturday.
Chandra of Cumbum said that she and 50 other women were approached a year ago by one Sandhya of Vadapudupatti, Theni. Sandhya had claimed that through a trust, soft loans would be given to self-help-group women on long term repayment schedule. Believing that to be true, the complainant had applied for a loan of ₹1 lakh and for this, the accused had demanded ₹2,000 as advance, which she had paid.
As the word spread, more women from towns like Andipatti, Vaazhaiathupatti and other hamlets reportedly approached Sandhya. They also paid ₹2,000 as advance. For instance, if an applicant wanted more than a lakh, the trust raised the advance sum to ₹4,000 and claimed to give loans up to ₹5 lakh per applicant.
However, even after eight months, when they did not receive any money, the women demanded that the money be returned. At this point, Sandhya’s father and brother allegedly threatened the women.
Determined to expose the accused, the womenfolk assembled in front of the SP’s office and demanded justice.
Further investigation is on.
