Mumbai: Love for ‘actress’ helps police trap con man who stole Rs 4.89 crore

A two-year-long chase for a serial fraudster who vanished after duping people of crores of rupees ended in Delhi, thanks to Mumbai police’s sharp phone surveillance. The accused, who had been constantly changing numbers to stay off the grid, was finally traced to a flat in Jangpura, in Delhi, where he was hiding with a struggling South Indian actress he was allegedly trying to launch into films using the stolen money.

The Borivli police have arrested an absconding fraud accused who had been on the run for two years after allegedly duping two individuals of crores by promising high returns on investments in Borivli and Goregaon. In June 2023, the police discovered that the accused, Sunil Parasmal Lodha, 38, had mysteriously vanished from his Malad residence. A missing person’s report was subsequently filed by Lodha’s wife at the Dindoshi police station.

A missing person’s report was filed by Lodha’s wife at the Dindoshi police station in 2023. Representation pic/istock

According to officials, Lodha had been hiding in Delhi, living with a struggling model. Sources revealed that he spent a large chunk of the defrauded money on the model in hopes of helping her land a break in South Indian films. To evade arrest, Lodha frequently changed his mobile number—sometimes monthly—making it difficult for investigators to track him. The only consistent lead was his first number, which had long been deactivated.

Using SDR (Subscriber Detail Records) and CDR (Call Detail Records), the police identified a number with frequent contact with Lodha in the past. Further analysis revealed several new Delhi-based numbers repeatedly calling this one, raising suspicion. A Borivli police team then began surveillance in Delhi, focusing on the suspected number linked to the model. After several days of groundwork, the team zeroed in on a location in the Jangpura area, where Lodha was finally traced and arrested on Monday.

Doctor defrauded of Rs 4 crore

Police sources said Lodha befriended a Borivli-based Ayurveda doctor in 2019 after visiting his clinic for treatment of physical weakness. Claiming to be a successful plywood businessman, Lodha promised lucrative returns if the doctor invested in his business. Trusting his claims, the doctor initially invested R50 lakh and received Rs 38 lakh as profit within a few months—boosting his confidence. Between 2020 and 2024, the doctor ended up investing approximately Rs 7 crore. While Lodha returned Rs 3 crore over time, he eventually stopped payments and blocked the doctor’s number. The doctor then filed a complaint with Borivli police on January 24, 2024. A case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and an investigation was launched.

Wood trader lost Rs 88 lakh

In a second case registered at Bangur Nagar police station on July 7, 2024, the complainant—a 52-year-old wood businessman who owns a shop at Chincholi Phatak in Malad West—alleged that Lodha cheated him as well. Already familiar with Lodha, who operated a plywood business in Malad East, the complainant was persuaded to supply teakwood worth R1.5 crore on credit. He eventually delivered R80 lakh worth of stock. Lodha gave two post-dated cheques—R40 lakh and Rs46 lakh—issued in the names of his family members.

According to officials, Lodha had been hiding in Delhi, living with a struggling model. Representation pic/Istock

The cheques bounced, and further investigation revealed that Lodha had similarly defrauded several other businessmen. Based on the victim’s written complaint, Bangur Nagar police registered a case under relevant IPC sections and began probing the matter. Despite his two-year run, Lodha’s trail finally ran cold in Delhi, where police ended the chase.

Cops Speak

“Under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite, Senior Police Inspector Maloji Shinde, Police Inspector Milind Nagpure, and the Borivli police cyber team—including PSI Kalyan Patil, Vishal Jhagde, Police Constable Rabbil Shaikh, and Head Constable Bahiram—made a commendable effort and apprehended Lodha from the Jangpura area of Delhi. He was brought to Mumbai and produced before the Borivali Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Tuesday, where he was remanded to police custody,” said an officer from the Borivli police station.

Police will investigate how the accused spent the money duped from victims and whether the model he was living with is also involved in the fraud. Given the accused’s modus operandi, officials suspect there may be several more victims. The investigation is ongoing, he added.