MANGALURU: In a raid straight out of a thriller, Mangaluru Police have exposed an audacious ₹500 crore scam orchestrated from a custom-built mansion equipped with hidden escape tunnels and surveillance dens, designed to fleece India's wealthy with promises of colossal loans and lucrative real estate deals. The alleged mastermind, Rohan Saldanha (45), now in custody, stands accused of weaving an empire of deception that spanned cities and left a trail of devastated entrepreneurs in its wake.
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The Lavish Trap: Saldanha, operating under the guise of a high-profile financier with deep connections to major institutions, lured his wealthy victims to his opulent bungalow in Mangaluru's Jappinamogaru area. The house was his ultimate prop: designer interiors, expensive artefacts, luxury cars parked prominently, and an air of immense, unquestionable wealth. It was meticulously crafted to disarm suspicion and project legitimacy.
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The Deceptive Pitch: Once inside this gilded cage, potential clients were tantalized with offers of business loans worth ₹500 crore, ₹600 crore, or even more. Saldanha bolstered his credibility by name-dropping a prominent regional lawyer – later revealed to be an impostor playing a role in the charade. He would even show prospective victims lands purportedly worth crores to solidify the illusion.
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The Swindle: The catch came in the form of upfront payments. Victims were pressured to pay substantial "advances" for purported stamp duty, registration charges, or legal fees to secure these massive loans. These advance amounts were staggering, typically ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹4 crore, and in some reported cases, soaring as high as ₹10 crore. Once the payments were secured, Saldanha executed his vanishing act. Phones were switched off, the mansion's doors shut, and the financier disappeared into thin air.
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"He shows the visitors lands worth crores. He says he will give loans of ₹500 crores, ₹600 crores. Initially, he swindles four to five crores in the name of commission and stamp duty," Mangaluru Police stated, outlining his modus operandi.
The Midnight Raid Reveals the Lair: Acting on a tip-off, a dramatic midnight raid led by Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and ACP Ravish Nayak uncovered the true nature of Saldanha's fortress. Behind the façade of luxury lay an intricate escape system engineered for evasion:
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Hidden Chambers: Rooms meticulously concealed behind wardrobes and cupboards.Police believe this elaborate setup allowed Saldanha to effortlessly dodge creditors, evade last-minute confrontations, and buy crucial time whenever suspicion arose. The surveillance system ensured he was always one step ahead.
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A Web Spanning India: The investigation reveals Saldanha's reach extended far beyond Karnataka. Police suspect he targeted affluent individuals from Delhi, Mumbai, and other major cities across the country. While three FIRs have been filed (two in Mangaluru, one in Chitradurga), authorities fear this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Many victims, potentially embarrassed or fearful, are yet to come forward.
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Tracking the Money: Financial scrutiny paints a picture of massive, rapid movement of illicit funds. One bank account alone recorded transactions exceeding ₹40 crore in just the last three months. The total value of items seized from his residence has crossed ₹6.5 lakh, including cheques, forged documents, jewellery, and the significant liquor haul – which has also led to a separate excise case for possession above legal limits.
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The End of the Mirage? Tracked down by the Central Crime Branch team hiding within his own labyrinthine property, Saldanha (also known as Roshan Saldana in some records) is now in custody. Police are actively investigating possible accomplices, the origins of his assets, and potential links to broader financial crimes, including money laundering.
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A Stark Warning: The case of Rohan Saldanha's vanishing mansion serves as a chilling reminder of how meticulously crafted illusions of wealth and power can exploit trust. Authorities urge other potential victims to break their silence and report their experiences. As one senior officer starkly put it: “This man built an empire of lies, one meeting at a time. We believe many victims haven’t reported the fraud yet.” The investigation continues to unravel the full extent of this audacious con that fooled India's rich.
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