Udupi Police Launch Investigation into Elaborate Date Trading Fraud Scheme
Udupi: Udupi Town Police have initiated an investigation into a sophisticated financial fraud scheme, following a formal complaint detailing an alleged misappropriation of Rs 15.81 lakh. The case involves three individuals accused of defrauding a local resident under the guise of a lucrative dates and household goods trading enterprise.
The complainant, Mr. Ifran Aziz, a 50-year-old resident of Badagubettu village, reported that the elaborate deception began in October 2023. During a visit to India, Mr. Mohammed Sharpuddin, Mr. Aziz’s son-in-law, who is employed in Qatar, allegedly presented an enticing business proposition. He purportedly outlined a high-yield venture involving the importation and subsequent sale of dates and various household commodities, promising substantial financial returns.
The narrative of the alleged fraud continued to unfold in December 2024. At this time, the accused individuals reportedly re-engaged with Mr. Aziz via telephone. During these communications, it was claimed that the proposed trading business was actively operational and had expanded to include two additional partners: Mr. Mohammed Shahid, hailing from Thrissur, Kerala, and Ms. Shameem Banu, from Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. This information served to bolster the venture’s credibility in the eyes of the complainant.
Trusting the accused’s representations, Mr. Aziz proceeded to transfer a significant sum of money, totaling Rs 15,81,000, to the alleged perpetrators’ bank accounts. These transactions were executed in two installments, occurring on January 13 and January 15, 2025.
However, after the financial transfers, a critical breach of the agreement occurred. The complaint meticulously details that no goods, as promised under the trading scheme, were ever delivered to Mr. Aziz. Furthermore, the individuals involved in the alleged scheme subsequently became inaccessible, severing all communication channels with the complainant. This abrupt cessation of contact and the non-delivery of merchandise led Mr. Aziz to conclude that he had been subjected to a deliberate act of financial fraud.
In response to these serious allegations, Mr. Aziz pursued legal recourse by filing a private complaint before the court. Acting upon the court’s directive, the Udupi Town Police formally registered a case against the three accused individuals. The police force has since commenced a thorough investigation into the matter, aiming to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent operation and bring the perpetrators to justice. The ongoing inquiry will delve into the financial transactions, communication records, and other pertinent evidence to ascertain the culpability of those involved in this alleged date trading scam.
