A 75-year-old businessman from Thane was alleged to have lost Rs 56.2 lakh after choosing to seek the cure of his ailments from a fake healer and associate by opting for herbal treatment.
The accused was sending medications to the businessman since November last year through a courier, while promising that the herbal treatments would improve his condition, said police. But even after taking the medicines for several months, the victim reportedly did not feel better.
It got into an escalation when the accused allegedly called the businessman at Gaimukh Chowpatty to Ghodbunder Road. There, he was allegedly made to drink another medicine containing various herbs and then demanded a whopping ₹56 lakh for treatment.
The accused told the businessman that if he failed to pay, it would have dire consequences for him,” police said. His friends allegedly told him the time has come to call recovery agents to his place, and he will be photographed during his sickness and will hit his popular websites.
The businessman, who was afraid of harassment or public humiliation, paid ₹20,000 in cash initially, followed by multiple amount transfers. The total payment amounted to ₹56.2 lakh. The alleged accused received the money but continued to ask for further money.
After the complainant’s complaint, the Kasarvadavali Police had filed a case against both accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, such as extortion, cheating, sale of adulterated medicines and criminal conspiracy.
The police have initiated an investigation and are looking into the alleged fraud involving the accused. This case should remind consumers to be wary of medical claims that have not been supported and bogus treatments.