MAPUSA
Anjuna police have registered a cheating case against a man who allegedly posed as an official of the Goa State Pollution Control Board and duped a Vagator club owner of over Rs 14 lakh on the promise of renewing a licence.
The complaint was filed by Himanshu Malhotra (34), a resident of Umravi Villas, Vagator, originally from New Delhi.
Malhotra said that on December 16, 2025, at around 1 pm, the accused, identified as Suraj Pendse, claimed he was a GSPCB official. He allegedly promised to help upgrade and renew the Pollution Control Board licence of Club Goya. Believing him, Malhotra transferred Rs 14,23,200 through several transactions. Police said the accused obtained the money through false assurances.
An offence has been registered under Sections 319(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The accused is currently in Calangute police custody in another case. Anjuna police have moved court to seek his custody.
