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Crime Branch Issues Lookout Notice as Probe Tracks Hawala Link in ₹16.24 Crore Jaffrey Fraud

The move aims to block a missing BMC officer from leaving the country while investigators follow money through shell firms and a suspected hawala operator.

Overview

  • The Mumbai Crime Branch issued a lookout notice for suspended BMC assistant municipal commissioner Mahesh Patil on Wednesday to prevent him from travelling while he remains unlocated.
  • Police have registered an FIR naming UK-based businessman Nishit Patel, Patil, graphic designer-accused Rupesh More and others after the Jaffrey family complained of an alleged ₹16.24 crore investment fraud.
  • Investigators arrested Nishit Patel and later took Rupesh More into custody, and they say More impersonated a registration official and prepared forged government paperwork.
  • Officers are tracing funds routed through a cluster of companies including Poojan Technologies, Ayaan Enterprises and others and are probing Nirav Gokani, a Zaveri Bazaar hawala suspect believed to be in Dubai.
  • Seized evidence includes forged documents, counterfeit Sub-Registrar seals, specialised equipment for capturing signatures and reports of valuables taken such as a Rolex and foreign currency; police say they are expanding searches to identify other victims and accomplices.