Ahmedabad Contractor Alleges ₹3-Crore Fraud in Shipping Investment Deal

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has registered a case against a Jamnagar-based businessman for allegedly cheating a construction contractor of ₹3 crore through a shipping-related investment deal.

The complainant, Rohitkumar Natwarlal Patel, 46, who runs Abhi Construction Company on Science City Road, alleged that Sameer Amit Shah induced him to invest money in an import-export venture by promising returns and misrepresenting his business activities.

The case has been registered by the Economic Wing of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, and further investigation is under way.

Initial Investment Helped Build Trust

According to the complaint, Patel was introduced to Shah by his cousin, Jay Pravinbhai Patel, in August 2025 at Apollo Hospital near Pakwan Char Rasta, where Patel's father was admitted.

Shah allegedly presented himself as an experienced businessman involved in shipping-related import-export activities and said he needed additional capital for his business. He offered to share profits with investors in proportion to their investments.

In the first transaction, Shah allegedly sought ₹50 lakh for one month, promising a four per cent return. Patel transferred the amount through RTGS from his company's bank account on August 22, 2025. Shah returned the principal amount on September 24, helping establish Patel's confidence in him, the complaint stated.

₹1.5-Crore Investment for Steel Pipe Contract

In October 2025, Shah allegedly approached Patel with a proposal to invest in a contract involving the transportation of Jindal Steel pipes from a port. He claimed the work would take three months and required ₹1.5 crore.

Shah allegedly promised an eight per cent return and agreed to provide security cheques and a promissory note.

Patel transferred ₹1.5 crore to Shah's HDFC Bank account through RTGS on October 16, 2025. According to the complaint, Shah provided security cheques and signed a promissory note acknowledging receipt of the amount.

Additional ₹1.5 Crore Sought to Avoid Penalties

In January 2026, Shah allegedly told Patel that the contract could not be completed within the agreed period and that another ₹1.5 crore was needed to avoid penalties and recover the investment.

He reportedly assured Patel that the entire amount, along with the promised returns, would be repaid by March 15, 2026. Patel subsequently transferred ₹50 lakh each on January 24, 25 and 26, taking his total investment to ₹3 crore.

Shah allegedly issued a cheque for ₹3 crore as security, along with six additional cheques totalling ₹72 lakh towards the promised returns. He also signed another promissory note acknowledging receipt of the total investment, the complaint stated.

Dubai Ship Explanation Raised Suspicion

When Patel sought repayment after March 15, 2026, Shah allegedly claimed that the money was stuck because a ship carrying sulphur had been stranded in Dubai amid the Iran conflict.

The explanation raised suspicion, as the original investment proposal had involved transporting steel pipes, Patel alleged. 

He subsequently made inquiries and learnt that Shah had not secured the contract he had claimed to have obtained, according to the complaint. When Patel repeatedly demanded his money, Shah allegedly visited his office in the last week of March with his mother and uncle. They reportedly assured Patel that the amount would be returned.

Shah later allegedly claimed that the contract documents were with another person and that he was arranging a loan against his property to repay the money. However, Patel alleged that the repayment never materialised despite repeated assurances.

The complaint alleges that Shah obtained ₹3 crore through bank transfers by misrepresenting his business activities and investment opportunities for personal financial gain.