Trader Alleges ₹8.7 Lakh Scam in Cigarette Partnership Deal

Ahmedabad, India — A trader from the New Fatehwadi area has filed a complaint with the Navrangpura police, alleging he was cheated out of ₹8.7 lakh by a man who offered him a partnership in a cigarette and gutkha wholesale business.

Nikhil Solanki, 33, reported that he met the accused, Navratan Baheti from Jaipur, while traveling on the Duronto Express from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in November 2024. During the journey, Baheti introduced himself as a wholesaler and later proposed a lucrative partnership, promising substantial returns.

About a month after their initial meeting, Baheti arranged to meet Solanki at a hotel on Ashram Road. There, he persuaded Solanki to rent a godown to kickstart their business venture. Although Solanki was asked to invest ₹15 lakh, he could not provide the entire amount. He pledged his wife’s jewelry and used his credit card to raise ₹8.7 lakh, which he transferred to Baheti between February 7 and 17 through angadia services and online payments.

Despite Baheti’s repeated assurances, Solanki claimed that he never received the promised goods nor did Baheti return his investment. After several unsuccessful attempts to recover his money, Solanki approached the Navrangpura police, who have since registered a case of cheating against Baheti.