Driver held by One Town Police on cheating charge

Dupes people eager to buy ‘scheme houses’ to the tune of Rs 8 lakh

A car driver, who allegedly cheated some persons to the tune of Rs.8 lakh by promising to secure them ‘scheme houses’ (houses for weaker sections), was arrested by the One Town Police on Monday.

K. Arjun (28) of Ramannapalem in Makavarapalem mandal, a driver in a private travel agency, got acquainted to A. Sarita (30) of Kota Veedhi, who was employed at the Government Hospital for Mental Care, on his mobile phone in 2012 and made friends with her. Arjun told her that he had contacts in the Collector’s Office and Tahsildar Office and that he could get works done easily, according to One Town Inspector Iliyas Ahmed.

Wins trust

Arjun told Sarita that he could help her in getting a ‘scheme house’ at a low price, if she wanted.

He took her to the scheme buildings constructed for weaker sections at Bakkannapalem in a car belonging to the travel agency and showed her the buildings. Arjun claimed that he owned the car.

Trusting him, Ms Sarita paid Rs.80,000 in instalments for purchase of the house.

Her friends and acquaintances also paid money for purchase of ‘scheme houses.’ They paid him money to the tune of Rs.8 lakh after which Arjun fled with the money. Sarita lodged a complaint with the One Town Police on December 7, 2012.

Inspector Iliyas Ahmed presented a cash award to head constable Beesetty Venkateswara Rao and constable Raju for their efforts in arresting Arjun.