Man booked for cheating car rental of ₹12 lakh after hiring car, failing to return vehicle in Ahmedabad

The Satellite police have registered a case of cheating against a man who allegedly hired a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga through a mobile-based rental application and disappeared with the vehicle causing a total loss of ₹12.65 lakh to the complainant.

As per police the accused, identified as Sameer Hussain Mohammad Malik, a resident of Fatehwadi area, rented the car on January 1, through the Vel Riders app operated by a Satellite-based tours and travels firm.

The complainant, Anandbhai  Parmar (35), who runs Vel riders, stated that the accused completed the online rental agreement, uploaded his documents, and made initial payments through the application.

The vehicle, belongs to Parmar’s associate, Dhaval Chavda of Jamnagar, had entrusted it to Vel Riders for commercial rental purposes around two-and-a-half months ago.

The booking was processed by Parmar’s employee had handed over the vehicle to the accused after the completion of formalities. The accused initially paid ₹7,041 as booking charges and ₹5,000 as a security deposit. He later sought multiple extensions through the app and made partial online payments for the same.

However, after January 6, the accused stopped responding to calls, switched off his mobile phone and failed to either return the vehicle or clear the accumulated rent, which has since reached approximately ₹65,000, the police said.

Efforts by the complainant to trace the accused proved futile, and the vehicle remains unaccounted for. Parmar subsequently approached the Satellite Police Station on January 28, seeking legal action.

Based on the complaint, police have registered an FIR and further inquiry is under way to trace the accused, recover the vehicle and examine whether similar offences were committed earlier using digital rental platforms.