Date:23/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/23/stories/2005122307030300.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Money-doubling company cheats villagers

Staff Correspondent

Bidar: People of Hallikhed (B) in Humnabad taluk have filed a complaint with the police claiming that they have been cheated by a "blade" company.

According to the complaint, T. Subramanya and his friends took Rs. 6 lakhs from over 150 people in the village. The group reportedly set up shop in the village three weeks ago and claimed to have come from the tsunami-affected areas in Tamil Nadu. They promised to sell household articles at half the price.

They also promised to double the money people invested in a week.

Investors and prospective buyers realised too late that Subramanya and his friends had cheated them. They reportedly escaped at a time when the village was busy preparing for the zilla and taluk panchayat elections.

Ramesh Chironji, a villager, lodged a complaint on Wednesday. Superintendent of Police K.L. Sudhir said the matter will be investigated on priority. A special team will be formed in this regard, he said.