Cops peg KBC investment fraud at Rs 120 crore so far
A city court on Monday extended the police custody of six of the eight accused arrested in the KBC Multi-trade Ltd fraud case even as hundreds have emerged over the last few days to register cases of being duped of their savings by the investment firm.
Senior police inspector of the Adgaon police station, Anil Pawar, said, "We would be interrogating the accused further in the next two days. Investors who were duped of their money are coming in large numbers at the police station to register their complaints. Until Monday morning, nearly 3,500 people had approached the police with their complaints."
Pawar said going by the number of people coming forward and the money they had invested in the company, the cheating was to the tune of Rs 120 crore.
On July 11, an investor had lodged a complaint with the Adgaon police, following which the police had arrested Bapusaheb Chavan, agent Pankaj Shinde and company driver Nitin Shinde on July 14. The police later arrested Sanjay Jagtap, Nanasaheb Chhabu Chavan and Sadhna Bhausaheb Chavan and Bharati Shiledar of Sakuri.
One more woman, Kaushalya Sanjay Jagtap, was arrested by the police on Saturday. KBC is one of the biggest cheating cases registered with the Nashik police over the past few years.
Two people, an agent and his mother, had committed suicide last Monday with the pressure mounting from investors to return their money. One more person from the Cidco area reportedly attempted suicide on Sunday.
There have been many cases in the past in which people have been duped of their money by fake companies. In 2012, a large number of people were duped to the tune of over Rs 1 crore by Vikalp Trade Solutions. The company was formed in 2010 with investors being made partners in a sham financial scheme. It assured monthly returns ranging from 8% to 12 % on their investments.
In most cases in the city, the directors of fake financial schemes have assured investors 10 to 12 % of returns on their monthly investments, or double the invested amount in a span of about two years.
The Emu Life Pvt Ltd scheme and the IMS scheme that were floated in the Bhagur, Deolali Camp area had also caused financial losses to a large number of the people, a few years ago.
Chavan moved in cars, wore costly suits
The mastermind of KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd fraud, Bhausaheb Chavan, was driven to the investment business after he had himself suffered financial losses. City police investigating the fraud case said Chavan desired to live life king size and overcome the losses he had suffered when he floated KBC.
Anil Pawar, police inspector at Adgaon police station, said Chavan is the eldest of three brothers and a sister and hails from Harnul village in Chandwad taluka in Nashik. His youngest brother, Nanasaheb, told the police that Chavan was a chartered accountant.
Pawar said that Chavan earlier worked in a private company. He later got involved with a jewellery scheme that worked on the ?bhishi' model and suffered losses. Cops said that reeling from huge debts, Chavan had become almost suicidal. But the wish to lead a lavish life eventually made Chavan sell his bungalow at Bhagur, a village located about 25 kilometers from Nashik. He later started KBC company in 2009-10 with his brother.
However, due to personal differences, the other two brothers Bapusaheb and Nanasaheb, distanced themselves and only joined him about two years ago.
"Chavan forced his brothers to put the ancestral land under the ownership of his wife and also urged them to invest Rs 15 lakh each in the company. Chavan gradually succeeded in involving all his relatives and distant family members to make them invest in the scheme," Pawar said.
Speaking to TOI, he further said that Chavan peculiarly targeted a good population from Marathwada region especially in Jalna, Parbhani, Beed and Hingoli.
In the last four years, Chavan had been able to appoint 756 agents. He himself adorned a rich, businessman look, moved in cars and wore expensive suits to attract new investors.
A large number of people would gather for his seminars and anniversaries that were held in Aurangabad, Jalna and Chandwad where he would give presents to his agents and other people who benefited from the scheme.
Pawar further said investor were given a receipt of only part of the money invested. The investors were assured that the remaining part would be invested in resorts, shares and other profitable businesses. This move attracted a lot of educated people along with farmers and labourers.
No complaints were lodged against him, until three months ago when the police received information through internal sources about some discrepancies which hinted at a scam. After inquiry, the police registered the crime on March 3 under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation Scheme Banning Act, 1978, clause 3, 4, 5, 6 against Bapusaheb, Bhausaheb and his wife Arti.
KBC investment scam: Custody of five accused in case extended
A city court on Thursday extended the police custody of five accused and sent one to judicial custody in connection with the KBC Multi Trade Ltd fraud case.
Accused Bapusaheb Chavan, agent Pankaj Shinde, company driver Nitin Shinde, Sanjay Jagtap, Nanasaheb Chabu Chavan and Sadhna Bapusaheb Chavanwere produced before the court as their police custody ended on Thursday.
While Sadhna was remanded in 14 days of judicial custody, the court extended the custody of the other five accused till Friday.
KBC fraud gets even bigger, EOW to investigate case
The KBC Multi Trade Ltd fraud case has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and a dedicated team of cops set up to probe the case.
Additional commissioner of police Pankaj Dahane of the crime branch, who is also in-charge of the EOW, said the decision to transfer the case was taken on Monday evening. "While the case has been shifted to the EOW, we have also formed a team comprising a police inspector and five constables, who will be focusing only on this case," said Dahane.
Senior police officials said the scale of the fraud was only increasing by the day with more complaints coming in with each passing day.
KBC Multitrade fraud: remand of 5 accused extended till Jul 26
Police set up special squad to look into growing KBC fraud cases
नाशिक, उत्तर महाराष्ट्रच नव्हे तर, मराठवाडा, विदर्भात 'केबीसी' KBC Ponzi Scheme Cheat Fund नावाच्या कंपनीने लाखो गुंतवणूकदारांची फसवणूक केली आहे. अशा योजनांपासून लोकांनी कसे सावध राहावे, हे सांगत आहेत, नामवंत चार्टर्ड अकाऊंटंट आणि कंपनी सेक्रेटरी श्रीनिवास जोशी. (मुलाखतकारः महेश सरलष्कर)
सहारासारख्या बेकायदा गुंतवणूक योजनांचे उदाहरण समोर असतानाही अशा योजना का फोफावतात?
पॉन्झी स्कीम्स नव्या नाहीत. सहारासारख्या ग्रुपच्या माध्यमातून वा वैयक्तिक स्तरावर त्या उघडकीस येत नाहीत, तोपर्यंत वर्षानुवर्षे त्या सुरूच राहतात. त्याची माहिती सेबी वा रिझर्व्ह बँकेपर्यंत पोचल्यानंतर कारवाई होते पण, तोपर्यंत लोकांची फसवणूक होतच राहते. आपल्या देशात निरक्षरता खूप आहे. साक्षर असलेलेही लोभापोटी बेकायदा गुंतवणूक योजनांमध्ये पैसे वाया घालवत राहतात. या गैरप्रकारांना आळा घालणारा कठोर कायदा अस्तित्वात नाही.
कोणत्याही योजनेत पैसे गुंतवताना नेमके काय पाहिले पाहिजे?
पगारदार, शेतमजूर, शेतकरी म्हणजेच जनसामान्य हे पोस्टाच्या योजनांमध्ये वा बँकेच्या मुदतठेवीत पैसे गुंतवतात. त्यावर आठ-दहा टक्क्यांपर्यंत परतावा मिळतो. सोन्यातही दहा टक्क्यांपर्यंत मिळतो. शेअर बाजारातही दीर्घकालीन गुंतवणूक केली तर १५-२० टक्क्यांपर्यंत परतावा मिळतो. रिअल इस्टेटमध्ये ३० टक्के मिळतो. पण, त्यात गुंतवणूक करण्याएवढे पैसे कनिष्ठवर्गाकडे नसतात. चांगल्या कंपनीचा देखील वार्षिक फायदा ५-१० टक्क्यांपेक्षा जास्त नसतो. म्हणजेच कुठलीही योजना वीस टक्क्यांपेक्षा जास्त फायदा मिळवून देत नाही. त्यामुळे चार वर्षांत ४०० टक्के फायदा कुठल्याही योजनेत होत नसतो, हे नेहमी लक्षात ठेवले पाहिजे.
अव्वाच्या सव्वा नफा देण्याचा दावा करणाऱ्या योजना एजंटकडून चालवल्या जातात, त्यांनाही १० टक्के कमिशन दिले जाते. गुंतवणूकदाराने जोडीदार आणला तर त्यालाही १० टक्के कमिशन मिळते. म्हणजेच प्रत्यक्षात ८० रुपयांवर ४०० रुपयांचा फायदा कसा मिळणार, हा प्रश्न विचारला पाहिजे. योजना आणणारी कंपनी नामांकित आहे का? तिच्या संचालक मंडळावर एक तरी व्यक्ती प्रतिष्ठित आहे का? सेबी, रिझर्व्ह बँक वा कॉर्पोरेट अफेअर्स मंत्रालयाकडे या कंपनीची नोंद आहे का, अशा बाबी तपासणे गरजेचे आहे.
योजना फोफावतात, त्याला जबाबदार कोण?
पॉन्झी स्किम आणणारे कंपनीचे मालक. कमी काळात आणि कमी कष्टात लोभापायी प्रचंड पैसे मिळवण्याचा गैरविचार करणारा गुंतवणूकदार. योजनेतून लोकांची फसवणूक होत आहे हे माहिती असूनही गुंतवणूकदारांना भूलवणारा एजंट हे तीन प्रमुख घटकांमुळे नवनव्या पॉन्झी स्कीम येत राहतात. पण, देशातील सेबी , रिझर्व्ह बँकेसारख्या वित्तीय क्षेत्रावर नियंत्रण ठेवण्याचे प्रमुख काम असलेल्या यंत्रणा वा अन्य सरकारी यंत्रणांचे अशा योजनांकडे पुरेसे लक्ष नाही, ही वस्तुस्थिती आहे. जिल्ह्यांजिल्ह्यांत, राज्याराज्यांतून त्यांच्यापर्यंत माहिती पोहोचवण्याची व्यवस्थाच अस्तित्वात नसल्याने या यंत्रणांना वित्तीय क्षेत्रातील गडबडी लक्षातच येत नाहीत. आर्थिक क्षेत्रातील विविध विभागांच्या 'इकॉनॉमिक ऑफेन्सिव्ह विंग' असतात. त्याअतंर्गत 'इंटेलिजन्स विंग' असते. पण, त्यांना अधिकारच नसल्याने तक्रार आल्याशिवाय कोणती कारवाई होत नाही. 'इंटेलिजन्स विंग'ला अधिक अधिकार देऊन त्यांनी सातत्याने सर्व्हे केला पाहिजे. सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे पालक आणि शिक्षक. त्यांनी लहानपणापासून मुलामुलींमध्ये आर्थिक साक्षरता वाढवण्यासाठी प्रयत्न केले पाहिजेत. योग्य गुंतवणूक कोणती? ती कशी करायची असते? याचे बाळकडू त्यांनीच दिले पाहिजे. त्यातून पुढे होणारी आर्थिक फसवणूक टाळता येईल.
या योजनांना आळा घालण्यासाठी उपाय काय?
स्वतंत्र कठोर कायदा केला पाहिजे. 'निर्भया'प्रकरणानंतर महिला अत्याचार रोखण्यासाठी कठोर कायदे करण्याची प्रक्रिया झाली. मग, आर्थिक फसवणूक रोखण्यासाठी का होत नाही? फसवणाऱ्या कंपनीचे मालक, एजंट यांची मालमत्ता तातडीने जप्त झाल्या पाहिजेत. तातडीने कारवाई होऊ शकेल, असा कायदा सध्या अस्तित्वात नाही, तो लगेचच व्हायला हवा. इकॉनॉमिक इंटेलिजन्स विंग अधिक सक्षम बनवले पाहिजे. सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे गुंतवणूकदारांची साक्षरता. सीए, सीएस इन्स्टिट्युट, कॉर्पोरेट अफेअर्स, मंत्रालय तसेच, शेअर बाजारातर्फे जागृती मोहिमा आखल्या जात असल्या तरी त्या शहरांपुरत्याच मर्यादित असतात, त्या गावागावांत झाल्या पाहिजेत. इथेही 'व्हिसल ब्लोअर पॉलिसी' हवी. लोकांची फसवणूक होत असल्याचे समजले तर कुणालाही तक्रार दाखल करण्याचा अधिकार असला पाहिजे. कोणालाही पत्र वा मेल करून तसेच, प्रत्यक्ष भेटून गैरप्रकारांची माहिती देता येईल अशी यंत्रणा वा एजन्सी निर्माण केली पाहिजे.
फसवल्या गेलेल्या गुंतवणूकदारांनी काय करावे?
फसवल्याचे ज्या क्षणी लक्षात येईल त्याक्षणी पोलिसांत तक्रार केली पाहिजे. गुंतवलेल्या पैशांवरील व्याज पुढच्या महिन्यात मिळेल या आशेवर राहू नये. गुंतवणूकदाराने हे पाऊल उचललेले तर अन्य गुंतवणूकदाराचे भविष्य वाचेल.
KBC Multi Trade, another MLM, goes bust; three agents dead
A city court on Monday extended the police custody of six of the eight accused arrested in the KBC Multi-trade Ltd fraud case even as hundreds have emerged over the last few days to register cases of being duped of their savings by the investment firm.
Senior police inspector of the Adgaon police station, Anil Pawar, said, "We would be interrogating the accused further in the next two days. Investors who were duped of their money are coming in large numbers at the police station to register their complaints. Until Monday morning, nearly 3,500 people had approached the police with their complaints."
Pawar said going by the number of people coming forward and the money they had invested in the company, the cheating was to the tune of Rs 120 crore.
On July 11, an investor had lodged a complaint with the Adgaon police, following which the police had arrested Bapusaheb Chavan, agent Pankaj Shinde and company driver Nitin Shinde on July 14. The police later arrested Sanjay Jagtap, Nanasaheb Chhabu Chavan and Sadhna Bhausaheb Chavan and Bharati Shiledar of Sakuri.
One more woman, Kaushalya Sanjay Jagtap, was arrested by the police on Saturday. KBC is one of the biggest cheating cases registered with the Nashik police over the past few years.
Two people, an agent and his mother, had committed suicide last Monday with the pressure mounting from investors to return their money. One more person from the Cidco area reportedly attempted suicide on Sunday.
There have been many cases in the past in which people have been duped of their money by fake companies. In 2012, a large number of people were duped to the tune of over Rs 1 crore by Vikalp Trade Solutions. The company was formed in 2010 with investors being made partners in a sham financial scheme. It assured monthly returns ranging from 8% to 12 % on their investments.
In most cases in the city, the directors of fake financial schemes have assured investors 10 to 12 % of returns on their monthly investments, or double the invested amount in a span of about two years.
The Emu Life Pvt Ltd scheme and the IMS scheme that were floated in the Bhagur, Deolali Camp area had also caused financial losses to a large number of the people, a few years ago.
Chavan moved in cars, wore costly suits
The mastermind of KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd fraud, Bhausaheb Chavan, was driven to the investment business after he had himself suffered financial losses. City police investigating the fraud case said Chavan desired to live life king size and overcome the losses he had suffered when he floated KBC.
Anil Pawar, police inspector at Adgaon police station, said Chavan is the eldest of three brothers and a sister and hails from Harnul village in Chandwad taluka in Nashik. His youngest brother, Nanasaheb, told the police that Chavan was a chartered accountant.
Pawar said that Chavan earlier worked in a private company. He later got involved with a jewellery scheme that worked on the ?bhishi' model and suffered losses. Cops said that reeling from huge debts, Chavan had become almost suicidal. But the wish to lead a lavish life eventually made Chavan sell his bungalow at Bhagur, a village located about 25 kilometers from Nashik. He later started KBC company in 2009-10 with his brother.
However, due to personal differences, the other two brothers Bapusaheb and Nanasaheb, distanced themselves and only joined him about two years ago.
"Chavan forced his brothers to put the ancestral land under the ownership of his wife and also urged them to invest Rs 15 lakh each in the company. Chavan gradually succeeded in involving all his relatives and distant family members to make them invest in the scheme," Pawar said.
Speaking to TOI, he further said that Chavan peculiarly targeted a good population from Marathwada region especially in Jalna, Parbhani, Beed and Hingoli.
In the last four years, Chavan had been able to appoint 756 agents. He himself adorned a rich, businessman look, moved in cars and wore expensive suits to attract new investors.
A large number of people would gather for his seminars and anniversaries that were held in Aurangabad, Jalna and Chandwad where he would give presents to his agents and other people who benefited from the scheme.
Pawar further said investor were given a receipt of only part of the money invested. The investors were assured that the remaining part would be invested in resorts, shares and other profitable businesses. This move attracted a lot of educated people along with farmers and labourers.
No complaints were lodged against him, until three months ago when the police received information through internal sources about some discrepancies which hinted at a scam. After inquiry, the police registered the crime on March 3 under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation Scheme Banning Act, 1978, clause 3, 4, 5, 6 against Bapusaheb, Bhausaheb and his wife Arti.
KBC investment scam: Custody of five accused in case extended
A city court on Thursday extended the police custody of five accused and sent one to judicial custody in connection with the KBC Multi Trade Ltd fraud case.
Accused Bapusaheb Chavan, agent Pankaj Shinde, company driver Nitin Shinde, Sanjay Jagtap, Nanasaheb Chabu Chavan and Sadhna Bapusaheb Chavanwere produced before the court as their police custody ended on Thursday.
While Sadhna was remanded in 14 days of judicial custody, the court extended the custody of the other five accused till Friday.
KBC fraud gets even bigger, EOW to investigate case
The KBC Multi Trade Ltd fraud case has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and a dedicated team of cops set up to probe the case.
Additional commissioner of police Pankaj Dahane of the crime branch, who is also in-charge of the EOW, said the decision to transfer the case was taken on Monday evening. "While the case has been shifted to the EOW, we have also formed a team comprising a police inspector and five constables, who will be focusing only on this case," said Dahane.
Senior police officials said the scale of the fraud was only increasing by the day with more complaints coming in with each passing day.
KBC Multitrade fraud: remand of 5 accused extended till Jul 26
A court here today extended police custody till July 26 to five accused arrested in connection with alleged fraud of crores of rupees committed by the city-based now defunct investment firm KBC Multitrade and Resorts Pvt Ltd.
The arrested accused -- Bapusaheb Chabu Chavan, his wife Sadhana, brother Nanasaheb Chabu Chavan, agent and manager Pankaj Shinde, driver Nitin Shinde and policeman Sanjay Jagtap -- were produced before the court of Additional Sessions Judge N U Kapadi upon expiry of their police custody today.
While, Judge Kapadi sent Sadhana Chavan into judical custody.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Nashik Police have arrested total eight accused in connection with this cheating case.
Yesterday, the court had extended police custody of two more arrested accused.
KBC Multitrade Pvt Ltd has conned hundreds of investors of several crores of rupees across the state.
The directors of the company -- Bhausaheb Chavan, his wife Aarti and brother Bapusaheb -- allegedly asked the investors to deposit their money with the company and add members to earn more profit.
The company introduced various attractive schemes that encouraged enrollment of new members in lieu of a commission and three-times return on investments.
The main directors of KBC, Bhausaheb Chavan and his wife Aarti, fled to Singapore before the entire fraud came to light.
Meanwhile, Sambhaji Brigade's Chhav Sanghtana has formed the KBC Thevidar Bachav Kruti Samiti (save investors action committee).
The committee has submitted a memorandum to the district collector demanding the arrest of the absconding directors of the company and also demanded that the administration should seize the properties owned by the KBC directors.
Police set up special squad to look into growing KBC fraud cases
With the number of fraud cases registered against the KBC Multi Trade Ltd growing to over 400 till date, the police machinary has been compelled to set up a special squad to look in to the matter.
According to sources, KBC fraud victims from Marathwada region continued to throng the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) at the Police Commissioner Office for the second straight day as a three member squad of the Nashik police are in the premises to record statements and complaints of the victims who invested and lost several crores of rupees in the scam.
A special squad from Nashik led by API Rajesh Gawali reached the police headquarters here yesterday and began recording statements of several KBC victims, most of them hailing from the rural areas.
They have furnished documentary evidence of their investments to the squad.
Earlier, several investors who had lodged their complaints with the Nashik police station.
The process of recording statements form the victims is still going on with the help of local police and already more than 400 complaints have been registered against the KBC so far, police said.
After the process of registering cases against KBC is completed, the special squad will verify the papers, receipts and other documents which were submitted by them along with their complaints. Following this, they will later hand over their reports to the Nashik Police Crime Branch, sources added.
नाशिक, उत्तर महाराष्ट्रच नव्हे तर, मराठवाडा, विदर्भात 'केबीसी' KBC Ponzi Scheme Cheat Fund नावाच्या कंपनीने लाखो गुंतवणूकदारांची फसवणूक केली आहे. अशा योजनांपासून लोकांनी कसे सावध राहावे, हे सांगत आहेत, नामवंत चार्टर्ड अकाऊंटंट आणि कंपनी सेक्रेटरी श्रीनिवास जोशी. (मुलाखतकारः महेश सरलष्कर)
सहारासारख्या बेकायदा गुंतवणूक योजनांचे उदाहरण समोर असतानाही अशा योजना का फोफावतात?
पॉन्झी स्कीम्स नव्या नाहीत. सहारासारख्या ग्रुपच्या माध्यमातून वा वैयक्तिक स्तरावर त्या उघडकीस येत नाहीत, तोपर्यंत वर्षानुवर्षे त्या सुरूच राहतात. त्याची माहिती सेबी वा रिझर्व्ह बँकेपर्यंत पोचल्यानंतर कारवाई होते पण, तोपर्यंत लोकांची फसवणूक होतच राहते. आपल्या देशात निरक्षरता खूप आहे. साक्षर असलेलेही लोभापोटी बेकायदा गुंतवणूक योजनांमध्ये पैसे वाया घालवत राहतात. या गैरप्रकारांना आळा घालणारा कठोर कायदा अस्तित्वात नाही.
कोणत्याही योजनेत पैसे गुंतवताना नेमके काय पाहिले पाहिजे?
पगारदार, शेतमजूर, शेतकरी म्हणजेच जनसामान्य हे पोस्टाच्या योजनांमध्ये वा बँकेच्या मुदतठेवीत पैसे गुंतवतात. त्यावर आठ-दहा टक्क्यांपर्यंत परतावा मिळतो. सोन्यातही दहा टक्क्यांपर्यंत मिळतो. शेअर बाजारातही दीर्घकालीन गुंतवणूक केली तर १५-२० टक्क्यांपर्यंत परतावा मिळतो. रिअल इस्टेटमध्ये ३० टक्के मिळतो. पण, त्यात गुंतवणूक करण्याएवढे पैसे कनिष्ठवर्गाकडे नसतात. चांगल्या कंपनीचा देखील वार्षिक फायदा ५-१० टक्क्यांपेक्षा जास्त नसतो. म्हणजेच कुठलीही योजना वीस टक्क्यांपेक्षा जास्त फायदा मिळवून देत नाही. त्यामुळे चार वर्षांत ४०० टक्के फायदा कुठल्याही योजनेत होत नसतो, हे नेहमी लक्षात ठेवले पाहिजे.
अव्वाच्या सव्वा नफा देण्याचा दावा करणाऱ्या योजना एजंटकडून चालवल्या जातात, त्यांनाही १० टक्के कमिशन दिले जाते. गुंतवणूकदाराने जोडीदार आणला तर त्यालाही १० टक्के कमिशन मिळते. म्हणजेच प्रत्यक्षात ८० रुपयांवर ४०० रुपयांचा फायदा कसा मिळणार, हा प्रश्न विचारला पाहिजे. योजना आणणारी कंपनी नामांकित आहे का? तिच्या संचालक मंडळावर एक तरी व्यक्ती प्रतिष्ठित आहे का? सेबी, रिझर्व्ह बँक वा कॉर्पोरेट अफेअर्स मंत्रालयाकडे या कंपनीची नोंद आहे का, अशा बाबी तपासणे गरजेचे आहे.
योजना फोफावतात, त्याला जबाबदार कोण?
पॉन्झी स्किम आणणारे कंपनीचे मालक. कमी काळात आणि कमी कष्टात लोभापायी प्रचंड पैसे मिळवण्याचा गैरविचार करणारा गुंतवणूकदार. योजनेतून लोकांची फसवणूक होत आहे हे माहिती असूनही गुंतवणूकदारांना भूलवणारा एजंट हे तीन प्रमुख घटकांमुळे नवनव्या पॉन्झी स्कीम येत राहतात. पण, देशातील सेबी , रिझर्व्ह बँकेसारख्या वित्तीय क्षेत्रावर नियंत्रण ठेवण्याचे प्रमुख काम असलेल्या यंत्रणा वा अन्य सरकारी यंत्रणांचे अशा योजनांकडे पुरेसे लक्ष नाही, ही वस्तुस्थिती आहे. जिल्ह्यांजिल्ह्यांत, राज्याराज्यांतून त्यांच्यापर्यंत माहिती पोहोचवण्याची व्यवस्थाच अस्तित्वात नसल्याने या यंत्रणांना वित्तीय क्षेत्रातील गडबडी लक्षातच येत नाहीत. आर्थिक क्षेत्रातील विविध विभागांच्या 'इकॉनॉमिक ऑफेन्सिव्ह विंग' असतात. त्याअतंर्गत 'इंटेलिजन्स विंग' असते. पण, त्यांना अधिकारच नसल्याने तक्रार आल्याशिवाय कोणती कारवाई होत नाही. 'इंटेलिजन्स विंग'ला अधिक अधिकार देऊन त्यांनी सातत्याने सर्व्हे केला पाहिजे. सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे पालक आणि शिक्षक. त्यांनी लहानपणापासून मुलामुलींमध्ये आर्थिक साक्षरता वाढवण्यासाठी प्रयत्न केले पाहिजेत. योग्य गुंतवणूक कोणती? ती कशी करायची असते? याचे बाळकडू त्यांनीच दिले पाहिजे. त्यातून पुढे होणारी आर्थिक फसवणूक टाळता येईल.
या योजनांना आळा घालण्यासाठी उपाय काय?
स्वतंत्र कठोर कायदा केला पाहिजे. 'निर्भया'प्रकरणानंतर महिला अत्याचार रोखण्यासाठी कठोर कायदे करण्याची प्रक्रिया झाली. मग, आर्थिक फसवणूक रोखण्यासाठी का होत नाही? फसवणाऱ्या कंपनीचे मालक, एजंट यांची मालमत्ता तातडीने जप्त झाल्या पाहिजेत. तातडीने कारवाई होऊ शकेल, असा कायदा सध्या अस्तित्वात नाही, तो लगेचच व्हायला हवा. इकॉनॉमिक इंटेलिजन्स विंग अधिक सक्षम बनवले पाहिजे. सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे गुंतवणूकदारांची साक्षरता. सीए, सीएस इन्स्टिट्युट, कॉर्पोरेट अफेअर्स, मंत्रालय तसेच, शेअर बाजारातर्फे जागृती मोहिमा आखल्या जात असल्या तरी त्या शहरांपुरत्याच मर्यादित असतात, त्या गावागावांत झाल्या पाहिजेत. इथेही 'व्हिसल ब्लोअर पॉलिसी' हवी. लोकांची फसवणूक होत असल्याचे समजले तर कुणालाही तक्रार दाखल करण्याचा अधिकार असला पाहिजे. कोणालाही पत्र वा मेल करून तसेच, प्रत्यक्ष भेटून गैरप्रकारांची माहिती देता येईल अशी यंत्रणा वा एजन्सी निर्माण केली पाहिजे.
फसवल्या गेलेल्या गुंतवणूकदारांनी काय करावे?
फसवल्याचे ज्या क्षणी लक्षात येईल त्याक्षणी पोलिसांत तक्रार केली पाहिजे. गुंतवलेल्या पैशांवरील व्याज पुढच्या महिन्यात मिळेल या आशेवर राहू नये. गुंतवणूकदाराने हे पाऊल उचललेले तर अन्य गुंतवणूकदाराचे भविष्य वाचेल.
KBC Multi Trade, another MLM, goes bust; three agents dead
Within four years, Nashik-based KBC Multi Trade was able to collect crores of rupees. Its promoters and directors are absconding and three agents are already dead. The question is, why nobody, including SEBI took action in time?
Even as several network marketing companies or multi-level marketing (MLM)
companies are trying very hard to lobby with the union government, to legalise their 'direct selling' module, here comes a story of the tragic end of an agent of one such company. As it happens with almost all MLM or money circulations schemes, in the case of Nashik-based KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd, the promoters have vanished with the loot estimated to be about Rs2,000 crore. Also, as usual, despite registering a complaint and subsequent raids on KBC Multi Trade offices, the Police could not make any further progress. Even market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which is supposed to be regulating collective investment scheme (CIS) has so far not shown any interest in KBC Multi Trade's fund mobilisation. KBC Multi Trade's scheme was, if you invest Rs1 lakh today, the company would pay you Rs1 lakh in six months, Rs1 lakh in the next 18 months, and another Rs1 lakh after 30 months. Thus giving three-times return on investment in 30 months.
Even as several network marketing companies or multi-level marketing (MLM)
companies are trying very hard to lobby with the union government, to legalise their 'direct selling' module, here comes a story of the tragic end of an agent of one such company. As it happens with almost all MLM or money circulations schemes, in the case of Nashik-based KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd, the promoters have vanished with the loot estimated to be about Rs2,000 crore. Also, as usual, despite registering a complaint and subsequent raids on KBC Multi Trade offices, the Police could not make any further progress. Even market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which is supposed to be regulating collective investment scheme (CIS) has so far not shown any interest in KBC Multi Trade's fund mobilisation. KBC Multi Trade's scheme was, if you invest Rs1 lakh today, the company would pay you Rs1 lakh in six months, Rs1 lakh in the next 18 months, and another Rs1 lakh after 30 months. Thus giving three-times return on investment in 30 months.
According to local media reports, Pushpalata Popatrao Nikam and her son Sagar committed suicide due to mounting pressure from people seeking refund of their money invested in KBC Multi Trade. The mother-son duo had invested their own money in the MLM too, while Sagar was also working as agent for KBC Multi Trade and collected huge amounts from people. Balaji Gujjewar, another agent of KBC from Hingoli in Marathwada region, died due to a heart attack. Gujjewar too, had collected crores of rupees in and around Hingoli for investing in KBC Multi Trade and was under severe pressure from these investors.
Earlier in March, Nashik Police conducted raids on the offices of KBC Multi Trade and seized Rs4.66 crore, along with some computers and documents. They also arrested one Babu Chavan, but he was granted bail by a city court on the same day.
According to reports, the main promoters of KBC Multi Trade are Bhausaheb Chavan and his wife Aarti. Bhausaheb was reportedly working in a local bank and hence, had knowledge about the financial status of several of the bank's customers. In 2010, he floated KBC Multi Trade and promised to make his investors 'crorepatis' within few months if they invest lakhs of rupees. He also promised 20% to 30% commission to 'agents' who would lure more people into the 'get-rich-quick' scheme.
On Monday, several investors staged a rasta roko at Adgaon, near Nashik, demanding immediate arrest of the company's promoters and directors. After the rasta roko, the Police arrested Bapusaheb Chavan, managers, Pankaj and Nitin Shinde, both agents of KBC Multi Trade, as well as a driver of KBC's main promoter-Bhausaheb Chavan.
On 25 February 2013, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Nashik Police even issued a public note, warning people about KBC Multi Trade. Following the raids and arrest of one person by Nashik Police in March this year, the EOW of Aurangabad Police also asked people to file complaints against KBC Multi Trade. The MLM company was active in several districts in Maharashtra, including Aurangabad.
However, besides issuing a public notice, the Police kept mum on the MLM. This probably helped the promoters of KBC Multi Trade to collect as much money as they could and vanish overnight. According to unconfirmed reports, Bhausaheb may have fled to Singapore along with his family.
There are thousands of people who are coming forward to lodge complaints against KBC Multi Trade and its promoters. While the exact number of people and the money they invested cannot be ascertained, it is estimated to be hundreds of crores.
Karan Gaikar, president of Chhava Sangathana, that organised the rasta roko, has demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in this money circulation fraud. “People were asked to invest in bands of Rs7,200, Rs17,200, Rs57,200 and Rs86,000; assuring a three-times return in less than three years," Gaikar was quoted as saying in a news report.
Bapurao Mate, a resident of Adgaon area, told the Times of India that he had invested Rs2.63 lakh with the hope that he would get an assured amount of Rs11.63 lakh in two to four years for his daughter's wedding. “I am from Marathwada and at least 300 people from the region have invested money with the company on my assurance," he told the newspaper.
Now a Saradha chit fund scam in Maharashtra too
A chit fund scam coming to light in Nashik, Jalgaon and Dhule districts is now fast becoming a major political issue in the northern parts of the state after two investors, who lost lakhs in the scam, committed suicide.
The Opposition, BJP and Shiv Sena took up the matter in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and demanded that markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India should be asked to intervene in the case.
According to police, a large number of people have reported about being duped, but it is still difficult to ascertain the scale of the scam which could be running into several hundred crores of rupees.
Thousands of small investors, mainly from the economically-backward sections, in the three districts of northMaharashtra had invested in the chit fund -KBC Fund -which was floated by one Bhausaheb Patil. T
The promoter promised four times the returns in four years. But to their utter surprise, the investors have now discovered the promoter is absconding and the cheques issued by him have bounced. Most of the victims are farmers or salaried employees in small towns.
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said, "I raised the issue in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and demanded that the finance minister and home minister of the country should order an inquiry into this because I suspect that a few thousand crores have been swindled by the founder of this chit fund who has now escaped abroad.
"People have lost their hard-earned money and we suspect that this is similar to the chit fund scam of West Bengal where some politicians were involved. Sebi must look into this and investigate the fraud."
A delegation of the BJP met CM Prithviraj Chavan to demand quick action in the case. The victims of the scam wanted to take a march to the collector's office in Nashik on Thursday, but were denied permission by the police.
An officer attached to the Economic Offences Wing in Nashik said that hundreds of duped investors have been coming to various police stations in the city to register their complaints with swindled amount ranging between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.
"It is difficult to ascertain the exact scale of the scam, but we have arrested two people in this regard. The main accused Bhausaheb Patil is absconding," said the officer.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, "We believe that the local police has been lax in this case. They have allowed the cheater to get away. We suspect that this big a scam cannot happen unless there is political involvement or backing given by some politicians. There should be a high level inquiry into this case."
हिंदुस्तान में न ठगों की कमी है न ठगे जाने वालों की। अभिनेता अमिताभ बच्चन के केबीसी शो ने कई लोगों को मालामाल किया लेकिन केबीसी नाम से बनी मल्टीनेटवकिं�ग कंपनी का 10 हजार करोड का घोटाला सामाने आया है। एक दंपती पर इस नाम से बनी कंपनी से 10 हजार करोड का घोटाला करने का मामला सामने आया है। ये दंपती अब फरार है।
भाऊसाहेब चव्हाण और अनिता चव्हाण ने नासिक में केबीसी नाम की कंपनी बनाकर मल्टी लेबल मार्केटिंग के नाम पर लोगों के साथ धोखाधडी की। तीस महीने में रकम तिगुनी करने का झांसा देकर घोटाला किया गया है। घोटाले के बाद पति पत्नी सिंगापुर भाग गए। नासिक में कंपनी बनाकर मल्टी लेबल मार्केटिंग के नाम दिए लालच में महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात, कर्नाटक और मध्य प्रदेश के हजारों निवेशक फंसे। कंपनी का दावा था कि 17 हजार 500 रूपये इनवेस्ट करने पर 3 साल बाद 37 हजार रूपया मिलेगा। पोस्ट डेटेड चेक मिलने से बडी संख्या में लोग फंस गए।
घोटालेबाजों ने लोगों को यूं फंसाया...
- सात लोगों को मेंबर बनाइए तो एक का मुंबई का एक टूर पक्का,
- 36 लोगों को मेंबर बनाइए तो गोवा का टूर पक्का,
- 81 लोगों को मेंबर बनाने वालों को हर महीने 5 हजार।
ये भी दावा किया...
- ढाई सौ सदस्य बनाओ..हर महीने 10 हजार पाओ,
-साढे बारह हजार मेंबर बनाने पर 51 लाख का बंगला,
- साढे पच्चीस हजार मेंबर बनाओ, 1 करोड नकद ले जाओ।
भाऊसाहेब चव्हाण और अनिता चव्हाण ने नासिक में केबीसी नाम की कंपनी बनाकर मल्टी लेबल मार्केटिंग के नाम पर लोगों के साथ धोखाधडी की। तीस महीने में रकम तिगुनी करने का झांसा देकर घोटाला किया गया है। घोटाले के बाद पति पत्नी सिंगापुर भाग गए। नासिक में कंपनी बनाकर मल्टी लेबल मार्केटिंग के नाम दिए लालच में महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात, कर्नाटक और मध्य प्रदेश के हजारों निवेशक फंसे। कंपनी का दावा था कि 17 हजार 500 रूपये इनवेस्ट करने पर 3 साल बाद 37 हजार रूपया मिलेगा। पोस्ट डेटेड चेक मिलने से बडी संख्या में लोग फंस गए।
घोटालेबाजों ने लोगों को यूं फंसाया...
- सात लोगों को मेंबर बनाइए तो एक का मुंबई का एक टूर पक्का,
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Nashik company dupes thousands of crores, 6 arrested
Luring investors with promises of three times the returns of the investments they make, KBC Multitrade, a private limited company, has duped thousands of crores of rupees. Six people have so far been arrested, while two have committed suicide in this connection. The main accused is absconding.
With a huge office at a sprawling premise at Adgaon, Nashik, on the Mumbai Agra highway, the network of the company is spread far and wide with a large number of agents and clients. KBC's agents used to attract investors with attractive packages and schemes. The agents used to show the investors the impressive building and give accounts of how people who invested initially have made a lot of money.
The scam began in the rural areas. Farmers from villages like Wadner Bhairav in Chandwad and Vanasgaon in Niphad invested in crop loans. Thousands of KBC investors are spread across Aurangabad, Parbhani, and parts of Marathwada.
Inspite of cases registered against the company in Marathwada, its operations had continued in Nashik city. Acting suo moto on an anonymous letter, in March 2014, Nashik police raided the premise of KBC Multitrade Pvt Ltd under the provisions of 'The prize chit and money circulation (Banking) Act', and had confiscated property worth Rs 4.66 crore. The police had also sealed cash and property worth Rs 24 crore in banks belonging to the directors. It had also informed the registrar to halt any dealing on the lands belonging to KBC or its directors. The manager of the company, Bapu Chabu Chavan and director Sanjay Malichkar were also arrested. Since then, the directors and now the main accused Bhausaheb Chabu Chavan and Aarti Bhausaheb Chavan have been absconding.
Since then, a number of cases are coming forward daily. For example, Azad Sheikh earns his living by running a small hotel in Adgaon. On the insistence of Nana Chabu Chavan, he invested Rs 6 lakh, which he had been collecting to expand his hotel. After he realised that all his money had been swindled, Sheikh had to be hospitalised.
As the number of complainants increased, Sagar Nikam, who worked as an agent for the company and his mother Pushplata Nikam, who also was an investor, committed suicide due to the pressure from the investors demanding their returns.
Police have since then arrested six persons in this case including Bapusaheb Chavan, Pankaj Shinde, Nitin Shinde, Nanasaheb Chavan, Sadhana Chavan and police officer Sanjay Jagtap. Jagtap was working with the Nashik city police and is the brother of main accused Aarti Chavan. It is reported that he used to take leaves and work for KBC. He has been suspended from the service.
Investors duped of savings stage rasta roko at Adgaon
NASHIK: Hundreds of people who were allegedly cheated of their investments they had made with the KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd staged a 'rasta-roko' on the service road opposite the company's office at Adgaon on Monday, demanding immediate arrest of the firm's directors. The Adgaon police made some arrests by late evening, but the company's director was still absconding.
The 'rasta-roko' agitation was led by Chhava Sangathana. The city police had to divert the traffic on the service road to the Mumbai-Agra Highway for about two hours until the protest continued. The Adgaon police said they were investigating the case, though no arrests had been made until Monday.
An investor had lodged a complaint against the company with the Adgaon police on Friday. Eknath Khairnar (58), a Pimpalner resident, stated in his complaint that Bhausaheb Chavan, Bapusaheb Chavan, Arti Chavan and other agents of the company had cheated him of lakhs of rupees by assuring three times the invested amount in three years.
The accused had floated the company in 2010 in Adgaon area, off the Mumbai-Agra national highway (NH3). They allegedly told people if they invested in the firm and added members, they would earn more profits. The police said that under sections of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, no individual or company can run a scheme that encourages enrolling new members in lieu of a commission.
The company's manager, Bapusaheb Chavan, agents Pankaj Shinde and Nitin Shinde and also the driver of the director, Bhausaheb Chavan were arrested late Monday evening and they will be produced before the court on Tuesday.
Bapurao Mate, a resident of Adgaon area said, "I had invested Rs 2.63 lakh with the hope that I would get an assured amount of 11.63 lakh in two to four years for my daughter's wedding. I am from Marathwada and at least 300 people from the region have invested money with the company on my assurance."
Balasaheb Wagh of Pathardi, who runs a fabrication business, said he sold his house and invested the money he made in the company. "I thought once I got the assured sum, I would not only buy a house but also purchase a plot in my village. But the company ruined my life."
Currently all the directors of the company are absconding. The investors said that the company office was located at Adgaon. While the agents and the directors were given new dates for returning the assured amount, they locked their office and fled the scene on Friday.
In March, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Nashik police commissionerate had arrested Bapu Chavan in the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act case. The EOW had also seized Rs 4.66 crore from the Adgaon office, along with computers and documents. The Nashik police released a public note in February on KBC Multi Trade Pvt talking about its "agents" and "investments in lakhs". The note asked investors to approach the Nashik EOW, if cheated by the company.
Karan Gaikar, president of Chhava Sangathana, said, "We demand a CBI enquiry into the case. People were asked to invest in bands of Rs 7,200, Rs 17,200, Rs 57,200 and Rs 86,000 assuring a three-times return less than three years."
Gaikar said bank accounts of all the concerned people, across the country, should be sealed.
An investor had lodged a complaint against the company with the Adgaon police on Friday. Eknath Khairnar (58), a Pimpalner resident, stated in his complaint that Bhausaheb Chavan, Bapusaheb Chavan, Arti Chavan and other agents of the company had cheated him of lakhs of rupees by assuring three times the invested amount in three years.
The accused had floated the company in 2010 in Adgaon area, off the Mumbai-Agra national highway (NH3). They allegedly told people if they invested in the firm and added members, they would earn more profits. The police said that under sections of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, no individual or company can run a scheme that encourages enrolling new members in lieu of a commission.
The company's manager, Bapusaheb Chavan, agents Pankaj Shinde and Nitin Shinde and also the driver of the director, Bhausaheb Chavan were arrested late Monday evening and they will be produced before the court on Tuesday.
Bapurao Mate, a resident of Adgaon area said, "I had invested Rs 2.63 lakh with the hope that I would get an assured amount of 11.63 lakh in two to four years for my daughter's wedding. I am from Marathwada and at least 300 people from the region have invested money with the company on my assurance."
Balasaheb Wagh of Pathardi, who runs a fabrication business, said he sold his house and invested the money he made in the company. "I thought once I got the assured sum, I would not only buy a house but also purchase a plot in my village. But the company ruined my life."
Currently all the directors of the company are absconding. The investors said that the company office was located at Adgaon. While the agents and the directors were given new dates for returning the assured amount, they locked their office and fled the scene on Friday.
In March, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Nashik police commissionerate had arrested Bapu Chavan in the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act case. The EOW had also seized Rs 4.66 crore from the Adgaon office, along with computers and documents. The Nashik police released a public note in February on KBC Multi Trade Pvt talking about its "agents" and "investments in lakhs". The note asked investors to approach the Nashik EOW, if cheated by the company.
Karan Gaikar, president of Chhava Sangathana, said, "We demand a CBI enquiry into the case. People were asked to invest in bands of Rs 7,200, Rs 17,200, Rs 57,200 and Rs 86,000 assuring a three-times return less than three years."
Gaikar said bank accounts of all the concerned people, across the country, should be sealed.
Investment fraud: Six-day police custody for three
NASHIK: A city court remanded the three accused in the alleged cheating case of KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd to six days' police custody.
The Adgaon police had arrested the company manager, Bapusaheb Chavan, agent Pankaj Shinde and company driver Nitin Shinde, on Monday evening. They were produced before a local court here on Tuesday where they were remanded to police custody till July 21.
Three more persons were reportedly arrested by the Adgaon police in connection with the case on Tuesday. Deputy commissioner of police Avinash Bargal said, "We have set up a separate unit - comprising three police officers and three constables at the Adgaon police to investigate the case. The officials and employees concerned would be taking complaints of all the people who have been duped by the company."
The company was floated in 2010 in Adgaon area off Mumbai-Agra Highway (NH3). The directors and the agents allegedly told people that if they invested in the firm and added members they would earn more returns. The police said that under sections of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, no individual or company could run a scheme that encouraged enrolling new members in lieu of commission.
In March, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Nashik Police Commissionerate had also arrested Bapu Chavan under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act and seized Rs 4.66 crore from the Adgaon office. The Nashik police had further released a public note in February on KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd on its agents. The note asked investors to approach the Nashik EOW if they had been cheated by the company. However, the investors did not take note of it and took to the streets only after they found the company office at Adgaon locked on Friday.
An agent of the company, Sagar Nikam, and his mother Pushpalata Nikam were found dead on Monday morning at their Kumbhar Wada residence in old Nashik. The mother-son duo committed suicide as they had convinced and collected money from their relatives, neighbours and acquaintances to deposit into various schemes of KBC.
The Adgaon police had arrested the company manager, Bapusaheb Chavan, agent Pankaj Shinde and company driver Nitin Shinde, on Monday evening. They were produced before a local court here on Tuesday where they were remanded to police custody till July 21.
Three more persons were reportedly arrested by the Adgaon police in connection with the case on Tuesday. Deputy commissioner of police Avinash Bargal said, "We have set up a separate unit - comprising three police officers and three constables at the Adgaon police to investigate the case. The officials and employees concerned would be taking complaints of all the people who have been duped by the company."
The company was floated in 2010 in Adgaon area off Mumbai-Agra Highway (NH3). The directors and the agents allegedly told people that if they invested in the firm and added members they would earn more returns. The police said that under sections of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, no individual or company could run a scheme that encouraged enrolling new members in lieu of commission.
In March, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Nashik Police Commissionerate had also arrested Bapu Chavan under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act and seized Rs 4.66 crore from the Adgaon office. The Nashik police had further released a public note in February on KBC Multi Trade Pvt Ltd on its agents. The note asked investors to approach the Nashik EOW if they had been cheated by the company. However, the investors did not take note of it and took to the streets only after they found the company office at Adgaon locked on Friday.
An agent of the company, Sagar Nikam, and his mother Pushpalata Nikam were found dead on Monday morning at their Kumbhar Wada residence in old Nashik. The mother-son duo committed suicide as they had convinced and collected money from their relatives, neighbours and acquaintances to deposit into various schemes of KBC.
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