The Nashik city cyber police arrested Pawan Mahadu Nikam in connection with a loan fraud scheme operated via telemarketing. The scam was run from a house in the Shikrewadi area, where victims were charged processing fees for loans that were never disbursed.
Police began investigating after a Nashik resident reported the matter via a WhatsApp group managed by the city police commissioner. According to the complainant, the firm promised to secure loans for victims but collected Rs 18,000 per person and failed to return the money.
Senior Inspector Sanjay Pise said the cyber police tracked the operation to a building in Shikrewadi, identifying Pawan Mahadu Nikam and Priti Arun Chaurasia as operators of the fraudulent office. Following a raid, Pawan was arrested after police secured evidence of the scam.
Authorities also confiscated registers, stationery, visiting cards of the company “RULoans,” and 94 SIM cards from multiple mobile companies. Investigators revealed that the accused hired telemarketers to contact people randomly, offering loans in exchange for processing fees.
Police said 13 victims have paid Rs 7.7 lakh so far, and more individuals in Nashik may have been defrauded. Citizens have been urged to come forward and register complaints if they were affected.
