Three from Tamil Nadu arrested in Bhatkal fraud case; Police begin further investigation

Bhatkal, November 12:  (Bhatkallys News Bureau) In a major breakthrough, Bhatkal Police have arrested three individuals from Tamil Nadu who had allegedly cheated hundreds of people in Bhatkal and gone absconding. According to police sources, the accused were nabbed in Mangaluru and will be produced before the district court in Karwar.

The arrested accused have been identified as Balaji alias Ganeshan, Thyaga Rajan, and Meyanthan alias Rajesh, all residents of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The case dates back to November 5, when the owners of a shop named Global Enterprises, located on Car Street in Bhatkal, allegedly lured hundreds of customers by offering home appliances and electronic items at half price, promising delivery within 10 to 15 days. They reportedly collected lakhs of rupees in advance from customers. However, when some of them arrived on November 5 to collect their goods, they found the shop shut and the owners missing.

As news spread, angry customers gathered at the spot in large numbers. Some people reportedly entered the shop and took away furniture, including sofas and other items.

According to police sources, the three arrested suspects will be presented before the Karwar district court for remand and later brought to Bhatkal for further interrogation. The police have also launched a manhunt to trace four more suspects involved in the case. So far, around 240 customers have lodged complaints at the Bhatkal police station alleging fraud.

Police said customers who had purchased goods from Global Enterprises before October 28 received their items, but those who paid advances after that date were cheated.

Meanwhile, the police have appealed to those who took items from the shop on November 5 to return them at the police station. CCTV footage from the shop and surrounding areas has recorded visuals of several individuals carrying away goods. The police have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who fails to return the looted items.