₹6 Lakh Car Seized Next Day: Ahmedabad Man Alleges Fraud Over Unpaid Loan; Five Booked

An Ahmedabad resident has alleged that he was cheated of ₹6.05 lakh after purchasing a second-hand car that was later seized by police over pending loan instalments, despite the sellers allegedly assuring him that the vehicle was free from any financial liability.

Based on the complaint, the Navrangpura Police have registered an FIR against five persons on charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery.

Car Purchased After Sellers Claimed Loan Was Cleared

According to the FIR, complainant Meraj Ahmed Khan (28), a resident of Shahpur and employed as a corporate account manager with a private company in Ahmedabad, was sourcing a pre-owned vehicle for his cousin, who runs a used-car dealership in Junagadh.

Police said Khan was acquainted with two of the accused, Ankit Babubhai Shrimali and Samsubhai Sheikh, through previous vehicle transactions.

On June 8, Ankit allegedly informed him about a 2022-model blue Maruti Suzuki Fronx available for sale near City Hospital crossroads in Navrangpura for ₹6.05 lakh. After inspecting the vehicle and sharing its details with his cousin, who agreed to purchase it, the complainant proceeded with the deal.

Cash Sent Through Angadia Service

The complainant initially transferred ₹5,000 online to the seller. His cousin subsequently sent the remaining ₹6 lakh through an angadia service.

Police said the sellers handed over the vehicle along with its registration documents, keys, a no-objection certificate (NOC) and Form 35, allegedly claiming that there were no outstanding loan dues or other encumbrances on the car.

After taking delivery, the complainant spent around ₹8,000 on minor repairs before dispatching the vehicle to Junagadh the following day.

Vehicle Seized Over Pending Loan

While the vehicle was passing through Kuvadva in Rajkot district, the driver allegedly informed the complainant that police had seized the car after discovering that 18 loan instalments remained unpaid.

The complainant alleged that when he contacted the sellers, they initially insisted that the documents provided, including the NOC and Form 35, were genuine. However, they later stopped responding to his calls.

He further alleged that when he met the accused in person and demanded either the return of the vehicle or a refund of the money, they refused. The complaint also alleges that the NOC and Form 35 supplied during the transaction may have been forged.

Five Booked, Probe Underway

Based on the complaint, Navrangpura Police have registered a case against Ankit Babubhai Shrimali, Samsubhai Sheikh, Mansuri Akhtarali alias Rajubhai, Dilipbhai Thakkar and Faridbhai Baloch.

Police are investigating the authenticity of the documents used in the transaction, the vehicle's outstanding loan records and the alleged role of each accused.

The investigation is under way.