Two swindle public of Rs 2 crore; arrested in Pallikaranai
Mahalakshmi (35) of Jalladianpet in Pallikaranai and Ashok (33), an auto driver from the same locality, who started a monthly savings scheme without any government approval, had roped in a large number of women in the scheme, who deposited money every month.
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CHENNAI: Two persons, who duped the public of Rs 2 crore on the pretext of monthly savings and a lucky draw, were arrested in Pallikaranai on Tuesday.
Mahalakshmi (35) of Jalladianpet in Pallikaranai and Ashok (33), an auto driver from the same locality, who started a monthly savings scheme without any government approval, had roped in a large number of women in the scheme, who deposited money every month.
The duo also collected money from the locals in the name of a lucky draw.
However, no prizes were given to the participants at any point in time.
According to the police, Mahalakshmi also formed a few self-help groups to help women avail bank loans. Mahalakshmi then collected the monthly EMI from them but the same was never deposited in the bank. Instead, Mahalakshmi and Kumar shared the collected money and bought luxury cars, bikes and auto rickshaws.
Only when they asked for the money back and the duo started evading them giving one excuse or the other they realised that they had been conned.
Following that, around 25 women filed a complaint with the Pallikaranai police who registered a case. An inquiry found the duo had collected around Rs 2 crore from the women.
The police on Tuesday arrested both of them and are further investigating.
