Pune: A 25-year-old restaurant owner from Satara was duped of Rs 68.54 lakh by three men on the pretext of giving him good returns on his investments in their real estate firm.The accused took money from the victim between June 2024 and Jan 2025 by claiming that their firm was dealing in real estate in Dubai and Singapore. When the victim did not get his money back, he approached the Baner police and lodged a complaint.A Baner police officer said the complainant, a Satara-based restaurateur and investor, was introduced in 2024 to three men claiming to run a real estate firm tied with major builders in Pune. They promised to expand to Dubai and Singapore, offering him Rs 70 lakh investment for 24% returns, 20% business partnership, and 20% profit share.Believing them after seeing supposed agreements with Dubai companies, he transferred Rs68.54 lakh between June 2024 and January 2025. The accused promised repayment in six months but made no formal agreement.“When the trio later demanded an additional Rs 90 lakh, the victim realised the fraud and approached the police”, the officer said.
