Bengaluru CCB is investigating allegations that a homemaker was cheated of nearly ₹2.5 crore through a purported RBI fund scheme. The complainant alleges a self-styled guru promised ₹10 crore in return for her investment, claiming ₹505 crore was due from the RBI. The allegations remain under investigation.
Fake RBI Fund Promise? Bengaluru Woman Says Self-Styled Guruji Cheated Her of ₹2.5 Crore
A homemaker from Bengaluru has alleged that a self-styled godman who allegedly promised returns from the claimed RBI funds duped her of close to Rs 2.5 crore in cash and gold. A case has been registered, and an investigation has been started by the Central Crime Branch.
In the latest case of fraud from Bengaluru, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has begun searching for a self-styled godman and his associates for allegedly cheating a homemaker of nearly ₹2.5 crore. The complaint said the accused allegedly lured the victim with a false promise of getting Rs 505 crore from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The complainant, M. Kumuda, 40, a native of Palamaner in Andhra Pradesh, was staying in Chamarajpet in Bengaluru. She first thought of taking a loan against the mortgage of her family property but later contacted the accused through personal contacts, investigators said.
Police records say that Jyothi, a friend of Kumuda staying in Mysuru, introduced Kumuda to Bharath and later Bharath introduced Kumuda to Shankar. She said the two checked her property documents and told her that it would be difficult to get another loan as the property already had an outstanding loan of around ₹50 lakh.
However, they are alleged to have induced Kumuda to invest with them in real estate ventures. Based on the complaint filed with the authorities, investigators believe this was the beginning of a series of events that ultimately resulted in significant financial losses.
Alleged fake RBI fund promise became the centre of the Bengaluru fraud case
Kumuda’s son met with an accident in November 2023, the complaint stated. Bharath allegedly told her that her house was under the influence of “negative energy” and, after the incident, introduced her to Afsar Pasha alias Guruji (Munwar Ali Shah).
The complaint says that Afsar Pasha performed a homa and havan at the residence of Kumuda and collected around ₹8 lakh for performing the rituals. Authorities have not independently verified the claims about the religious ceremonies.
Later, Afsar Pasha allegedly told investigators that he was supposed to receive ₹505 crore from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). To substantiate the claim, he allegedly shared pictures of documents on WhatsApp, claiming them to be RBI certificates with his photograph.
In the complaint, Afsar Pasha allegedly told Kumuda that if she invested ₹2.5 crore, he would give back ₹10 crore after the alleged RBI funds were released. Police said the complainant believed the documents were real.
Also Read: Ketamine Trafficking Case: ED Raids Hyderabad, Chennai, Seizes Cash.
Property sale, cash payments and gold jewellery at the heart of investigation
The complaint states that Kumuda then sold her house for ₹8.5 crore. She is also said to have handed over almost ₹2 crore in cash in several instalments at locations near the Mysuru Palace and another residence linked to the probe.
Police said that Kumuda was also allegedly handed over gold jewellery worth around ₹50 lakh by the accused. The cash and jewellery, together valued, are the basis of the alleged ₹2.5 crore fraud being probed.
According to the complaint, when Kumuda later asked for the return of her money and jewellery, Afsar Pasha allegedly denied the transactions and said she had no proof that cash or valuables were exchanged.
The complaint said he also threatened to kill her if she continued to ask for her money back. These allegations are part of a police investigation and are subject to verification during the legal process.
CCB registers case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions
Based on the complaint and directions from the office of the Police Commissioner, the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bengaluru, has registered a case against Afsar Pasha alias Guruji (Munwar Ali Shah) (A1), Shankar, Bharath and others, who are yet to be named.
The case has been registered under sections 318(4) (cheating), 338, 351(1), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Officials said efforts were on to trace the accused and gather more evidence.
No arrests have been announced at this stage, and the investigation is ongoing, authorities said. As investigators look into the allegations, check financial transactions and see if any more victims or evidence turn up during the course of the investigation, Sprouts News will continue to track official developments.
