Nagpur: A 30-year-old solar panel company operator from Nagpur was allegedly cheated of ₹10.68 lakh by an unidentified person who promised to arrange a franchise for his business.

The complainant, Himanshu Vijay Vishwakarma (30), a resident of Jayaprakash Nagar, Khamla-Somalwada area, approached police after the alleged fraud came to light.

According to the complaint, the accused contacted Vishwakarma through different mobile phone numbers and offered to help him obtain a franchise. The accused allegedly collected money from him on different dates under the pretext of registration fees.

To gain the complainant’s confidence, the accused allegedly sent forged documents to his mobile phone and used a fake email ID while communicating with him. Vishwakarma subsequently transferred a total of ₹10,68,700 online to the accused.

However, after receiving the money, the accused allegedly failed to provide the promised franchise, following which Vishwakarma realised that he had been cheated.

Cyber Police have registered a case against the unidentified accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3) and 3(5), along with provisions related to cheating. Further investigation is underway.