Lawyer Scammed of Rs 20 Lakh in Fake Money-Doubling Ritual

A 42-year-old lawyer from Mira Road, Thane, was swindled out of Rs 20 lakh by two men who lured him with promises of doubling his money through a spiritual ritual. The incident took place on July 22 in a flat in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, where the accused, Premsingh Sadhu Maharaj (40) and Anant Ramchandra Narahari (65), orchestrated an elaborate deception.

The lawyer was introduced to the duo through a mutual acquaintance. Premsingh, claiming supernatural powers, convinced the victim that a sacred ritual could invoke divine blessings to double his money. On the evening of July 22, the lawyer was invited to the flat, decorated with images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. He was instructed to place Rs 20 lakh before the deities, enter a bedroom, lock it, and chant “Laxmi Devaya Namaha.” While the victim was occupied, the accused allegedly stole the cash and locked the flat from the outside, trapping him inside.

Realizing the deceit, the lawyer alerted the police via his mobile phone. Officers from CBD police station rescued him and registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 318(4) (cheating), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), and 3(5) (common intention), as well as provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Black Magic Act. A manhunt is underway to apprehend the absconding duo, said Assistant Police Inspector Narayan Palampalle.

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