3 held for cheating Mumbai businessman of Rs 6 lakh, offer soap instead of USD

MUMBAI: Three men were arrested by the Samta Nagar police on Saturday in connection with a year old case where a businessman was cheated of Rs 6 lakh. The complainant was given a packet with a bar of soap under the guise of foreign currency notes.
The accused have been identified as Shahid Shaikh alias Abdul, 45, Noor Alam Shaikh, 38, and Shahjahan Shaikh, 44. All have been remanded into police custody till Tuesday.

The 43-year-complainant told the police that he runs an electric goods shop at Virar and during summer, he also runs a mango selling business. In 2020 while selling mangoes, he got acquainted with one Abdul who sold fruits on a handcart.
In May 2024, Abdul told the complainant that his aunt who lived in Kandivali East wanted to exchange $750 for Indian currency. Abdul requested the complainant to get her a good deal. Later, Abdul summoned the complainant to a bus-stop in Kandivali East and brought along $2 as a sample.
The complainant took the American currency to a friend who was an expert. The friend certified that the currency was authentic. Abdul got his aunt to speak with the complainant over the phone. She said she would send the rest of her foreign currency to the complainant through Abdul on June 6.
On June 6, the complainant went to Kandivali East in his car to meet Abdul. But Abdul called up to apologise and said he was caught up with work. He said he was sending two men to meet the complainant with the foreign currency.
The duo came up to the complainant's car and asked if he had brought Indian currency in exchange. The complainant showed them a bag containing Rs 6 lakh.
The duo collected the bag and left the complainant with a bundle. To his shock, the bundle contained only $2 and a bar of soap. The men had vanished. The complainant approached the Samta Nagar police station where an FIR was registered on June 24.