Ahmedabad Graphics Businessman Allegedly Cheated Of ₹47.37 Lakh Using Fake Pharma Company Orders

A 51-year-old graphics and printing businessman from Ahmedabad has alleged that a mother-son duo cheated him of ₹47.37 lakh by using bogus purchase orders in the names of two non-existent pharmaceutical companies to obtain money for raw materials and leaving printing bills unpaid.

The accused allegedly obtained ₹35.34 lakh from Hirenkumar Chinubhai Gandhi, who runs Sharp Design, on the pretext of purchasing raw materials for pharmaceutical orders. They also allegedly failed to pay ₹12.02 lakh for printing work carried out for their firm. Following Gandhi’s complaint to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

Partnership Offer Led To Alleged Fraud

Gandhi, a resident of Utsav Elegance on Sola Road, runs the graphics designing and printing business under the name Sharp Design, which is registered in his wife Shitalben’s name.

According to the complaint, Gandhi met Ronak Pramodbhai Bhavsar in July 2024 through a mutual acquaintance. Bhavsar, who lives at Sukoon Residency near Silver Star Crossroads in Chandlodia, claimed to operate R.B. Enterprise and Praja Graphics, the latter in the name of his mother, Jagrutiben Pramodbhai Bhavsar.

Both firms reportedly operated from Abhushan Complex on Stadium Road in Navrangpura. Ronak allegedly told Gandhi that he had been handling printing work for pharmaceutical companies for around 20 years and could help him secure substantial business in the sector. He subsequently proposed a partnership.

Fake Orders In Names Of Two Pharma Companies

Between August and October 2024, Ronak allegedly emailed Gandhi work orders purportedly issued by two pharmaceutical companies — Aim Pharma and Resin Pharma.

The orders were valued at ₹33.75 lakh and ₹66.64 lakh, respectively. According to the complaint, Ronak claimed that buying raw materials in bulk for the orders would reduce costs and persuaded Gandhi to provide the money required for the purchases.

Gandhi allegedly paid ₹35.34 lakh, comprising ₹23.73 lakh through bank transfers and ₹11.61 lakh in cash. However, the raw materials were never purchased, the complaint alleged.

₹12.02 Lakh Printing Bill Also Unpaid

In addition to the raw-material payments, the accused allegedly commissioned printing work worth ₹12.02 lakh for Praja Graphics. The work included brochures, stickers and boxes.

When Gandhi sought payment, the mother-son duo allegedly continued to offer excuses and postpone settlement.

Growing suspicious, Gandhi conducted inquiries and allegedly discovered that Aim Pharma and Resin Pharma, the companies named in the purchase orders, did not exist.

EOW Registers Case

After allegedly realising that he had been cheated, Gandhi approached the Economic Offences Wing of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch and lodged a complaint against Ronak Bhavsar and Jagrutiben Bhavsar.

Police have registered a case against the mother-son duo and initiated an investigation into the alleged financial fraud.