Businessman cheated of Rs. 1 cr. in ‘rice puller’ scam

Victim was promised profit of Rs. 50 crore as part of the deal

Kalamboli police have booked six men for cheating a 40-year-old businessman of Rs. 1.09 crore.

The accused have been identified as Anil Sali, director of Seizetech Antique Private Limited, his partner Rajiv Mukherjee, company coordinator Sajjad Shaikh, radiation checkers Sujav and Ranbeer, and Raju Mandal, a resident of Kolkata.

The complainant, Ashfaq Hussain Miya Khamse, a resident of Kharghar, said Mr. Sali called him in March last year and offered to deal to buy a metal called ‘rice puller’. The metal made of copper and iridium was apparently highly valuable and used for generating energy.

Senior police inspector Raju Sonawane said, “Mr. Sali met Mr. Khamse and told him that he bought the metal and sold it for crores of rupees to other countries. He told Mr. Khamse he was willing to buy the metal if he could find it.”

Mr. Khamse was promised a profit of Rs. 50 crore if he made an initial investment of Rs. 1.09 crore. A few days later, Mr. Mandal called Mr. Khamse and told him that he had found reserves of the metal in a village in Kolkata. He sent air tickets to Mr. Khamse and later showed him the metal.

When Mr. Khamse informed Mr. Sali of the discovery, he arrived in Kolkata with Mr. Mukherjee, Sujav and Ranbeer.

Mr. Sonawane said, “Mr. Sali examined the metal and told Mr. Khamse that it emitted high frequency radiation. He said a coating of a chemical available only with the Defence Research and Development Organisation had to be applied on the metal. He said the chemical would cost 1% of the market value of the metal, which was Rs. 100 crore.” Mr. Khamse then paid Rs. 1.09 crore to Mr. Sali to buy the chemical.

Mr. Sali and his partner soon stopped taking Mr. Khamse calls. When he demanded his money back, Mr. Sali paid him Rs. 19 lakh and warned him not to ask for more. Mr. Khamse then registered a case with Kalamboli police on Wednesday. The Economic Offences Wing Unit II has started investigating the case.

The accused met Mr. Khamse and told him that he bought the metal and sold it for crores of rupees to other countries

Raju Sonawane

Senior police inspector