NOIDA: A US-based businessman was allegedly confined to his rented flat in Pari Chowk for over a year and cheated of Rs 2.7 crore by a group of four persons who promised to treat his heart ailment using “supernatural powers”.
It was in March last year that Sanjay Sharma came from California to treat his heart blockage. He took a flat on rent in NRI City in Pari Chowk and started staying there alone. Sharma’s wife stayed back in the US along with their kids.Originally from Amritsar, Sharma and his family have been staying in the US for the past 22 years.
While in Noida, Sharma met two of the accused – Delhi resident Himanshu Bhati and his wife Mona – at Gardens Galleria mall and told them that his heart ailment hadn’t healed despite repeated visits to doctors. The couple allegedly offered to help him and said they knew a tantrik who could cure any ailment with his “supernatural powers”.
“In April 2022, Himanshu and Mona reached Sharma’s flat with Faizaan, Vishal and two other persons. They introduced Faizaan to him and told him he could treat Sharma’s heart blockage against a fee,” said Saad Miya Khan, the DCP.
Over the next few months, Faizaan and the others gained Sharma’s trust with medicines and other home remedies. At one point, they persuaded him to pay around Rs 50 lakh to buy a golden idol and perform a puja,the DCP said.
The veil was, however, lifted off the fraud when Sharma’s wife came to know about it, said Vinod Mishra, the SHO of Beta 2 police station.
“Sharma would talk to Faizaan’s driver about his family back in the US. The two were on good terms. A few days ago, Faizaan removed his driver from the job following an argument. That’s when he called up Sharma’s wife and revealed the plot to cheat the businessman,” Mishra said.
Kiran called up the police in Greater Noida and informed them about his husband. A team from Beta 2 police station raided the flat in NRI City and rescued Sharma.
Himanshu, Mona, Faizaan and Vishal were arrested from the flat itself. An FIR was filed under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt).
It was in March last year that Sanjay Sharma came from California to treat his heart blockage. He took a flat on rent in NRI City in Pari Chowk and started staying there alone. Sharma’s wife stayed back in the US along with their kids.Originally from Amritsar, Sharma and his family have been staying in the US for the past 22 years.
While in Noida, Sharma met two of the accused – Delhi resident Himanshu Bhati and his wife Mona – at Gardens Galleria mall and told them that his heart ailment hadn’t healed despite repeated visits to doctors. The couple allegedly offered to help him and said they knew a tantrik who could cure any ailment with his “supernatural powers”.
“In April 2022, Himanshu and Mona reached Sharma’s flat with Faizaan, Vishal and two other persons. They introduced Faizaan to him and told him he could treat Sharma’s heart blockage against a fee,” said Saad Miya Khan, the DCP.
Over the next few months, Faizaan and the others gained Sharma’s trust with medicines and other home remedies. At one point, they persuaded him to pay around Rs 50 lakh to buy a golden idol and perform a puja,the DCP said.
The veil was, however, lifted off the fraud when Sharma’s wife came to know about it, said Vinod Mishra, the SHO of Beta 2 police station.
“Sharma would talk to Faizaan’s driver about his family back in the US. The two were on good terms. A few days ago, Faizaan removed his driver from the job following an argument. That’s when he called up Sharma’s wife and revealed the plot to cheat the businessman,” Mishra said.
Kiran called up the police in Greater Noida and informed them about his husband. A team from Beta 2 police station raided the flat in NRI City and rescued Sharma.
Himanshu, Mona, Faizaan and Vishal were arrested from the flat itself. An FIR was filed under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt).
