The third accused Shibaran Gouda, a relative, is still on the run.
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Police claimed to have cracked down a fraud case to the tune of crores by detaining a couple on the charge of duping over a 100 people in false car deals. The accused, identified as Akshay Gouda and his wife Usharani Gouda from Aska in Ganjam, were reportedly running a used car showroom under the name ‘Maa Pattakhanda Automobiles’ in the State Capital and duped around Rs 40 crore from people by offering 50 per cent discount in purchasing brand new cars.
The third accused Shibaran Gouda, a relative, is still on the run. The trio was absconding after allegations of fraud over fake automobile deals came to the fore and victims filed police complaints against them.
The victims, in their complaints, had stated that they came across an advertisement on social media in which Bhubaneswar-based Maa Pattakhanda Automobiles Private Limited was offering cars at 50 per cent discount of the market price. Customers interested were asked to deposit a basic amount of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 as advance. When some of them enquired about details, the accused showed fake agreements with several car showrooms in Bhubaneswar to sell their cars under clearance sale.
Initially, the fraudsters gave new cars to some customers with high discount to earn their trust and gain credibility. However, later, they cheated people to the tune of over Rs 40 crore by asking them to deposit the basic amount as advance.
Meanwhile, official sources said confirmed the detention of two of the accused. “The third accused is still on the run. Efforts are on to nab him at the earliest. Investigation is underway,” they said.
