A man claiming to be a ‘handler’ and his accomplice allegedly cheated a businessman from Thane in Maharashtra in Maharashtra. $56.2 lakh on the pretext of providing herbal treatment for his ailments, the police said on Sunday.
The two accused had been supplying the 75-year-old victim with medications through the mail since November last year. But the victim did not feel any improvement in his health condition after taking the medications.
The accused later summoned the victim to Gaimukh Chowpatty on Ghodbunder Road in the city and allegedly forced him to take medicine mixed with various herbal substances, an official from Kasarvadavali police station said.
The accused then claimed that the cost of treatment was $56 lakh and allegedly threatened the victim with dire consequences if he failed to pay. The official said they also warned him that people would be sent to his residence to recover the money and photos taken during his illness would be circulated online to defame him.
Because of fear, the victim pushed $20,000 in cash after which various amounts were transferred in installments in a total $56.2 lakh but the accused kept demanding more money.
Based on a complaint lodged by the victim, the police registered a case against the accused under Sections 308 (2) (extortion), 318 (2), 318 (3) (cheating), 277 (sale or distribution of adulterated drugs or medicinal preparations) and 3 (5) (common intention) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the official said.
