Businessman duped of Rs 80 lakh, five booked

Amritsar, April 18

A New Zealand native among five persons has been booked by the Civil Lines police for allegedly defrauding a local resident of Rs 80 lakh.

The accused have been identified as Antenio Karles of New Zealand, Gourav Sarohi and his wife Divya Sarohi, both of Dhundha Gajiana in Uttar Pradesh, Abhinit Chopra and his wife Seema, both of Dugri in Ludhiana.

Sandeep Mehra, a local trader, stated in his complaint to the police that his father Sushil Mehra was known to Abhinit Chopra, a retired banker, for the past 15 years and that they had good family relations. He said a few years ago, Abhinit sent his son Ankush Mehra to New Zealand for setting up a business. He said Abhinit told him that his brother-in-law Gaurav Sarohi had been a successful businessman in New Zealand for years.

Around three years ago, when Mehra sold his property in Dehli, Abhinit lured him into making investment in a car business in New Zealand. Abhinit told him that Gaurav had his business in partnership with Antenio and they would help Ankush in setting up a car trade there according to which cars will be imported from Japan and sold in New Zealand for high profit. Mehra gave them Rs 80 lakh but the accused didn’t give any account of the money. After that, Gaurav returned along with his wife and started living in Uttar Pradesh.

Joga Singh, investigation officer, said a probe was under way. — TNS