Couple, associate arrested for cheating

A middle-aged couple and their business associate were arrested in connection with the cheating many innocent investors of crores of rupees in guise of doubling/trebling money in Krishnagiri on Wednesday.

Mr. K. Aaasaithambi, Inspector, District Crime Branch told The Hindu that the couple N. Kannan (45) and his wife K. Meenakshi (33) hailing from Vahab Nagar near Government Arts College for Women and their business associate Mr. Ravichandran (46) from Royakottai had lured many innocent investors to deposit Rs. 6,500 and get back Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 from the smart cards directly from the ATMs of banks.

One P. Munusamy (41) from Sengodapatti village near Palacode in Dharmapuri district had deposited Rs. 6.5 lakhs believing the words of the couple and their business associate some months back.

Though the alleged cheaters had promised to swipe the amount from ATM, Mr. Munusamy couldn’t get even a rupee using the smart card issued by the company.

Mr. Munusamy couldn’t contact the company over phone. Hence, he came to the company in person on Tuesday and claimed his deposit and raised his voice.

As he insisted to repay his deposit, the couple and their business associate attacked him and thrashed him out of the office.

Anger over this, Mr. Munusamy lodged a complaint to the District Crime Branch at the Office of the Superintendent of Police. Based on his complaint, the couple and his business associate were arrested by the DCB. Rs. 6.59 lakh cash, 3 mobile phones, six SIM cards and three SUVs were seized from them.

The computers and the hard discs from the office of the alleged cheaters were also seized.

As per the instructions of the Superintendent of Police Mr. Abishek Dixit, the DCB has registered a case under sections 406, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 506 (1) of IPC.

The arrested persons were produced before the Judicial Magistrate I, Mr. V. Sundararajan and were remanded for 15 days judicial custody.

Later, Ms. Meenakshi was lodged at the Women Sub Jail at Krishnagiri and two others were lodged at the Salem Central Prison.