Ahmedabad Man Duped of ₹21.79 Lakh in Fake Religious Donation Scam; Complaint Filed Against Mahudi Resident

A 67-year-old businessman from Ahmedabad’s Satellite area has allegedly been cheated of ₹21.79 lakh on the pretext of making donations for a religious activity. Anandnagar Police have registered a complaint against a man from Mahudi in Gandhinagar, who allegedly posed as a representative of the Nar Ratna Maharaj Saheb Upashray in Paldi.

According to the complaint, the accused, identified as Tejash Subhashbhai Shah, contacted the victim, Mayurbhai Shah, and gained his trust by claiming that the money was required for a religious purpose. Between July 23 and August 14, the victim allegedly transferred money through bank accounts and angadia services.

The alleged fraud came to light after the accused stopped responding to calls and the victim personally contacted the upashray to verify the donation request.

Victim transfers money through bank accounts

On July 23, Mayurbhai received a phone call from a man who introduced himself as Tejash Shah and claimed to be calling from the Nar Ratna Maharaj Saheb Upashray in Paldi. The caller allegedly asked him whether he was willing to contribute money towards a religious activity.

As Mayurbhai had faith in the upashray, he agreed. The caller initially asked him to deposit ₹49,000 into a bank account. The victim arranged for the money to be deposited through his friend’s son.

The following day, on July 24, the accused allegedly called from another number and asked him to deposit an additional ₹1 lakh into the same bank account. The money was reportedly deposited through an employee working at the victim’s company.

The victim was subsequently asked to transfer ₹1 lakh on August 5 and ₹2 lakh on August 7 into a bank account allegedly belonging to Kalpanaben Shah.

₹17.3 lakh allegedly sent through angadia

The accused allegedly made further demands for money between August 10 and August 14. According to the complaint, Mayurbhai was instructed to send:

• ₹4 lakh on August 10

• ₹4.30 lakh on August 11

• ₹4 lakh on August 12

• ₹5 lakh on August 14

The accused allegedly provided details of recipients in Prantij and Dwarka, including the name Tejash Shah and mobile numbers. The names of Vijaybhai, Rohitbhai and Vishalbhai were reportedly provided as senders.

Mayurbhai allegedly handed over the cash to his son, Falun, who sent the money through angadia services using the details provided by the accused.

Fraud discovered during verification at upashray

After the transactions, Mayurbhai and his family members reportedly attempted to contact Tejash Shah but were unable to reach him on either of his mobile numbers.

The victim and his son subsequently visited the Nar Ratna Maharaj Saheb Upashray to verify the donation request. They allegedly learned that the upashray had not made any such demand for money.

Mayurbhai submitted an application to Anandnagar Police on September 15. During the police inquiry, the accused was identified as Tejash Subhashbhai Shah, a resident of Mahudi Staff Quarters in Mahudi village, Gandhinagar.

Based on the complaint, police have registered a case alleging that the accused gained the victim’s trust by invoking a religious purpose and fraudulently obtained ₹21.79 lakh.