Copyright newskarnataka
Udupi: In a shocking case of financial fraud, a couple from Brahmavar taluk and their relative have allegedly fallen prey to a massive scam involving fake subsidy loans under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). The victims reportedly lost more than ₹1.45 crore to a group of fraudsters posing as agents capable of arranging government loans. Victims duped with promise of PMEGP loan According to the complaint filed by Sarita Louis, she and her husband Desmond Louis were approached in November 2023 by a woman named Kaushalya, who was introduced to them by their acquaintance Anjalin D’Silva. Kaushalya reportedly claimed she could secure PMEGP subsidy loans through her contacts in government offices. Although the couple initially declined, Kaushalya allegedly persuaded them to participate by citing her supposed success in obtaining similar loans for others. Over the next few months, she demanded several payments, claiming they were for processing fees, documentation, and approvals required for sanctioning the subsidy. Over ₹80 lakh transferred by Brahmavar couple Acting on Kaushalya’s instructions, the couple made multiple payments — both in cash and through bank transfers — totalling ₹80,72,000. The money was allegedly sent to Kaushalya’s account as well as to several individuals identified as Sandesh (her husband), Prakash, Ashish Shetty, Rajendra Baindoor, Geetha, Harini, Navya, Kumar, Malathi, Praveen, Hariprasad, Nagaraj, and Bharati Singh. Each payment was made under the pretext that it would expedite the loan approval process. However, months passed without any confirmation or documentation from official agencies. When the victims started demanding updates, the accused reportedly became unresponsive. Relative also tricked with same promise Kaushalya and her associates allegedly lured another victim, Anjalin D’Silva, by promising her a similar PMEGP subsidy loan. Trusting them, D’Silva reportedly handed over ₹65,00,000 in cash to the same group of accused individuals. Soon after, when none of the promised loans materialised, all three victims realised they had been defrauded and approached the Brahmavar Police Station to file a complaint. Case registered and investigation underway The Brahmavar Police have registered a case under Sections 318(2), 318(4), 319, and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police sources confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount. Investigators are also verifying whether the same group has cheated other individuals in the region under similar pretences. Police have urged the public to be cautious of anyone promising government subsidy loans in exchange for upfront payments or commissions. PMEGP scheme and rising scams The PMEGP scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), is a legitimate government programme providing financial assistance to entrepreneurs to establish small enterprises. However, officials have repeatedly warned of fraudulent intermediaries and agents misusing the scheme’s name to dupe people. Several such scams have been reported across Karnataka in recent years, with victims often persuaded to pay large sums upfront for loan processing that never takes place. Authorities urge public caution Authorities have advised citizens to approach only official channels such as District Industries Centres (DICs) or the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for PMEGP applications. Individuals are urged not to transfer money to personal accounts of self-proclaimed agents or middlemen. Police have assured that strong action will be taken once the accused are identified.
