PANAJI
The Economic Offences Cell (EOC) has booked several persons from Goa and the UK for allegedly cheating a European company and another in Mormugao to the tune of Rs 1.07 crore under the guise of investing in a shipping business.
Vijay Chowgule and Roadip Mahatme, who claimed to be financial advisors for the owner of a subsidiary company overseas, are accused of convincing the Board of Directors of the two firms of a profitable business opportunity in the shipping industry.
The EOC identified another accused, Pratap Shirke, as the mastermind behind the entire operation, exploiting the investment opportunity in the shipping business.
“As a result, a wholly owned subsidiary named Rudra was incorporated on July 31, 2009, in Guernsey-Europe, at the instance of the three accused and the CCPL Company invested several thousand dollars in Rudra... The first two accused, under pretences of investment in the shipping business, advanced unsanctioned and unsecured loans to several entities, which were owned and operated by the mastermind,” an official said, adding, “The loans provided to these entities were written off, which resulted in a massive financial loss to the complainant and CCPL. The total loss amounted to approximately Rs 1.07 crore.”
The EOC has identified six to seven accused persons in the case besides some unknown accused also booked for the offence. However, no arrest has been made yet.
