NEW DELHI, Nov 9: Panbazar Police arrested a 30-year-old man from Siliguri in West Bengal for allegedly cheating a Guwahati business establishment of more than Rs 11.50 crore on the pretext of supplying goods to the Indian Army.
The accused, Harsh Agarwal, was arrested during an interstate operation, police said. More than Rs 2 crore in various bank accounts linked to the alleged fraud has been frozen.
Police said the accused exploited an existing business relationship with Guwahati-based Global Traders to gain the firm's trust. They allegedly used fake Indian Army supply orders, impersonated Army officers and forged financial documents.
Investigators alleged that Harsh Agarwal introduced his brother, Ayush Agarwal, to the complainant firm as a distant relative connected with an Army supply contract. The accused allegedly carried out fraudulent transactions after gaining the firm's confidence.
Police said the total value of transactions linked to the fraud was Rs 11,50,56,180.
The operation was led by Panbazar Police Station officer-in-charge Shankarjyoti Nath, who traced the accused before his arrest in Siliguri.
A case has been registered at Panbazar Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Police said the investigation was continuing to trace the cheated money, identify other people involved and arrest the remaining accused.
