Mumbai Crime: Serial conman nabbed after 2 years

Sandeep Ramesh Aher, the serial conman

The Malwani police on Sunday arrested Sandeep Ramesh Aher, a serial conman who has cheated many people with the offer of roles in films or by promising a flat at lower rates. The 41-year-old imposter was arrested in connection with a case filed by NCP leader Eknath Khadse's son-in-law. Aher has been accused of duping Ashish Pathode, actor and Khadse's son-in-law, of Rs 5 lakh on the pretext of providing him a flat under quota for artistes two years back. The Malwani police had been looking for him for the past two years.

Hundreds questioned

With the help of his mobile data record, and after questioning hundreds of people, Malwani police received information about him, said an officer. On Saturday night, investigating officer Assistant Inspector Nandkumar Koli and detection officer Sub-Inspector Sandeep Vatre caught him near Tarapur signal in Andheri West, he added.

Police sources said Aher and Pathode met two years ago during a film shoot at Film City. Aher introduced himself as a builder and later offered Pathode a flat at a low price under the artistes' quota. The accused showed the actor a flat in Malwani and a deal was finalised following a payment of Rs 5 lakh.

When time came to take possession of the flat, Pathode found out that it belonged to someone else. He contacted Aher but he didn't answer his calls. Realising that he was cheated, Pathode filed a complaint at Malwani police station in 2020, and a case of cheating was registered.

Caught after a chase

Under the supervision of Senior Inspector Shekhar Bhalerao, two teams were formed and they traced Aher to Versova while he was riding pillion with someone. As the police reached, he got suspicious and they tried to flee, but were caught after a chase of 4 km, Vatre said. During interrogation, police learnt that Ahe had hired the rider, Vijay Kadam, six months ago at a monthly salary of Rs 5,000, but hadn't paid him, he added. Aher has been remanded in police custody till March 30, Vatre said. He has cheated dozens of people by posing as a politician, director, or a producer. In June 2019, some citizens duped by Aher had filed a complaint with Oshiwara police, but were disappointed by the slow pace of the probe. They laid a trap and nabbed him with the help of DN Nagar police, then handed him over to the Oshiwara police.

Rs 5 lakh
Amount complainant paid to the accused