Kerala-based businessman duped of Rs. 24 lakhs

A Kerala-based businessman was duped by a man posing as a top officer of the Central Excise Department who promised to help him set-up his business in Bengaluru. The man made away with Rs. 24 lakh.

Hari Kumar, from Alleppey, said in his complaint that that he had met the accused, identified as Dr. K.P. Krishna Bethuram Gopi, aged around 50, in December 2013 during at a relatives funeral in Kerala.

The accused introduced himself as Director General of Central Board of Revenue, New Delhi and handed a business card, mentioning his name and designation. The accused, after discussions, suggested Mr. Kumar to expand his business in Bengaluru and assured to help him in setting up the company.

When Mr. Kumar visited Bengaluru, an arrangement was made to show a shed on Old Airport Road by the accused with the help of an associate, Narasihma Murthy. The accused later asked Mr. Kumar to deposit Rs. 39.9 lakh in various accounts.

Mr. Kumar realised that he had been cheated when the accused started dodging him and managed to recover Rs. 15 lakh only. "He has not only printed business cards but also put up a nameplate in front of his house in Jalahalli and a logo on his car," he mentioned in the complaint.

Based on the complaint filed by Mr. Kumar of on Monday, the Gangamma Gudi police have taken up a case of cheating and impersonation and are investigating.