Mumbai: In a shocking case of investment fraud, the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Unit 8 has arrested two brothers — Prateek Prakash Dhruv (32) and Chetan Prakash Dhruv (35) — for allegedly duping investors of Rs.6.4 crore under the guise of a lucrative strawberry farming and greenhouse partnership project in Gujarat.
According to the Crime Branch, the complainant, a chartered accountant based in Mumbai, was introduced to the Dhruv brothers through a business acquaintance in September 2021.
Investors Lured with High-Return Strawberry Farming Project in Gujarat
The accused allegedly lured the complainant and his family with promises of high returns by partnering in a strawberry greenhouse project in Rajkot, Gujarat, under the banner of a company named ‘Global Berries’.
The Dhruv brothers proposed a total investment of Rs.7.5 crore, with 60% to be contributed by the complainant’s family and 40% by the Dhruvs. When the complainant visited Rajkot for verification, the accused showed a one-acre greenhouse setup to gain his trust.
Funds Diverted via Fake Firms and Luxury Spending
However, further investigation revealed that the accused diverted the funds through another company named ‘Wonderfresh’, and consistently delayed providing GST certificates and banking documents. Suspicion deepened as they evaded issuing proper receipts or transaction records.
Police discovered that the accused used fake documents, manipulated data, and a fraudulent mobile application to deceive investors. The siphoned funds were allegedly spent on luxury hotels, lavish vacations, and expensive purchases.
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More Victims and National Fraud Links Suspected
Officials suspect the involvement of more individuals and believe the racket could extend beyond Maharashtra, potentially linking it to national-level cyber fraud networks. Further investigation is underway.
