Mumbai: Mumbai seems to have become the preferred destination for fraudsters. A series of payment default and fraud incidents have taken the IT channel partners in the city by shock. While in June partners fell prey to Ganpati Infotech and Computer Shop, in a recent case Lamington Road-based Bhagyalakshmi Computers has duped more than 15 partners to the tune of Rs 65 lakh.

Apparently, the proprietors of Bhagalakhshmi-Ramesh and Kailash had taken partners into confidence through several references. Ramesh was initially working as a delivery boy with two of the IT companies located at Lamington Road before they eventually set up their business nine months ago. Bhagyalaxmi never faltered on his payments initially but later he defaulted on several occasions. According to Trade Association of IT (TAIT), the alleged defaulter has sold the products and used the money to invest further.

Praveen Dhoka, Secretary, TAIT informed, “One of the affected parties have contacted us and given information about Bhagylaxmi Computers' modus operandi. We have alerted all our members by circulating mails.”

Vinod Mulchandani, Proprietor, Aarvee Computers and one of the affected partners revealed, “I have been duped to the extent of Rs 1,32,000. We are taking this case very seriously and have lodged an FIR with the Lamington Road Police Station on July 1.”

Meanwhile TAIT informed DQ Channels that all the affected parties have been asked to lodge a complaint and submit the relevant documents (invoices and bounced cheques) by the Lamington Road Police Station.

Himashu G Chitalia, Proprietor, Meen Tack Electronic who has over Rs 3 lakh at stake stated, “Bhagyalaxmi came in contact with us through several references. Till April this year they did usual business (close to Rs 4,82,000) with us and cleared all their payments. But they have defaulted payments to the tune of Rs 3,15,000 (due from May 31). Initially when we contacted them, Bhagayalaxmi responded but for the past several days they have been unreachable on their mobile numbers. When we tried to reach them at their office we discovered that it was locked and both the partners are now absconding.”

Yet another Malad-based partner on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the Proprietors of Bhagalaxmi got in touch with them through several references and before absconding the company had taken goods in bulk from several partners. “The proprietors of Bhagalaxmi were making payments on time and before they absconded, they purchased material from us stating that they had got some corporate inquiries,” he shared.

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