PUNE: Twelve women from a self-help group in Kothrud were cheated of Rs12 lakh by a resident of Mohammadwadi after he promised he would help them secure the central government's Mudra loans.
The police said that between January 2020 and May 2022, the man collected Rs1 lakh each from the victims - who belong to lower-income groups, on the pretext of legal work and processing charges. One of the victims, a 40-year-old woman, has lodged a police complaint.
Senior inspector Hemant Patil of the Kothrud police said, "In January 2020, the man visited the self-help group (SHG) office on Paud road. He told the women members that he facilitates the central government's Mudra loans to people who want to start their businesses or micro units. He promised loans in the range of Rs20 lakh to Rs25 lakh at a very nominal rate and sought Rs1 lakh each for legal work and processing."
Patil said, "The women, who earn considerably less money, gave all their savings to him. However, he failed to deliver on the promised loans and, despite repeated follow-ups, did not return the money. The women had earlier furnished a complaint application to the Kothrud police. They did a verification and formally registered an FIR of cheating and other charges on Monday."
"As of now, 12 members of the SHG have approached us. The number is likely to go up as more members may come forward over the next few days," the officer said.
It may be noted that the Mudra loan is a credit-funding scheme to offer business loans, MSME loans, working capital loans and overdraft facility of up to Rs 10 lakh to individuals, startups, businesses, MSMEs and self-employed professionals.
The borrowers are not required to give any collateral/security to banks/NBFCs. The repayment tenure of money is up to five years with NIL to nominal processing fees and foreclosure charges.
