Major Fraud in Bhatkal: Shop Owners Flee with Lakhs, Police Launch Investigation

A major fraud case has shaken Bhatkal as the owners of Global Enterprises, a shop on Car Street, fled the town after allegedly collecting lakhs of rupees from local residents who had ordered home appliances and furniture at discounted prices.

According to Bhatkal Police, the shop owners were present in the town until 8 AM on Tuesday morning. However, after some customers visited their residence to inquire about pending deliveries, the accused fled, leaving behind dozens of people who had paid advance money.

Circle Inspector of Police, Mr. Devakar, has made an urgent appeal through Local News to all affected customers. He has requested that anyone who paid advance money to Global Enterprises should visit Bhatkal Police Station immediately with their payment bills and receipts to file a formal complaint.

“We need all victims to submit their bills so we can conduct a thorough investigation and determine the full extent of the fraud,” the Circle Inspector said.

The police investigation has revealed that the accused were extremely careful in covering their tracks. Authorities obtained the bank statement of an account the shop owners opened just one month ago, which shows transactions of only around ₹5 lakh. However, most payments were collected through QR code transfers and cash, making it difficult to trace the exact amount.

Police officials say it is still unclear whether the total fraud amounts to lakhs or crores of rupees. The actual figure will only emerge after all victim complaints are collected and investigated.

The accused arrived in Bhatkal from Tamil Nadu about 15 to 20 days ago in October and opened Global Enterprises on Car Street. They displayed furniture, electronics, and home appliances at prices significantly lower than market rates to attract customers.

According to customers, an air conditioner that costs ₹95,000 in local Bhatkal shops was offered for ₹65,000. Similarly, an iPhone worth ₹1,50,000 was priced at ₹85,000.

The shop owners collected full advance payments from customers and promised to deliver products within 7 to 10 days. They allegedly used dummy and display pieces in the showroom to deceive buyers.

Some Deliveries Made, Many Left Waiting

Interestingly, the shop operated for nearly a month and successfully delivered products to several customers within the promised timeframe. Some residents confirmed receiving their ordered items just a day before the shop closed. The accused would personally deliver goods to customers’ homes, which built trust among buyers.

However, many customers were still waiting for their deliveries when the owners disappeared. Products ordered included furniture, iPhones, and various household appliances. One woman reportedly purchased items worth several lakhs of rupees and was awaiting delivery when the fraud was uncovered.

Shop and Warehouse Sealed

When Global Enterprises did not open at the expected time on Wednesday, worried customers gathered outside the shop. According to eyewitnesses, some people took items from the shop premises before police arrived.

Bhatkal Police have now sealed the showroom on Car Street and placed locks on the warehouse where remaining stock was stored. Authorities are examining the inventory as part of their investigation.

Warning Signs Ignored

Some concerned residents had warned the public about a potential fraud through audio messages 4 to 5 days ago, but many people still fell victim to the scheme due to the attractive discounts being offered.

The fraud has affected residents from all communities and religions in Bhatkal. Victims have reported losing amounts ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh or more. Some customers paid ₹80,000, while others lost similar or higher amounts.

Investigation Underway

Bhatkal Police are currently examining bank statements and analyzing bills submitted by customers to determine the full scale of the fraud. The entire police team is engaged in the investigation and working to track down the accused who have fled from Bhatkal.

While authorities have assured victims that efforts are underway to arrest the accused, it remains uncertain how much money can be recovered. Police officials say the chances of recovery will depend on successful arrests and seizure of assets.

Circle Inspector Devakar has once again appealed to all victims to visit Bhatkal Police Station immediately with their payment receipts. “Your cooperation is essential for us to build a strong case and take action against the accused,” he said.