Pune: In a disturbing case of financial fraud and intimidation, a 38-year-old woman from Pune was allegedly cheated out of ₹40.43 lakh by a group of individuals, including two advocates, under the guise of helping her secure a loan. When she demanded her money back, she was reportedly threatened with being shot. The Shivajinagar Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.
The victim, Pratibha Rohit Davalbhat, a resident of Shaniwar Peth, filed the complaint at the Shivajinagar Police Station. The FIR names Adv. Pandurang Narayan Valunj, Adv. Abhijeet Pandurang Valunj, Yuvraj Pandurang Valunj, and Komal Yuvraj Valunj as the accused.
According to police officials, the accused gained the woman’s trust by claiming to have secured a ₹1.5 crore loan for her from a share-based financial company. However, they stated that the loan could only be disbursed if she first paid a processing fee and advance EMIs totaling ₹22 lakh.
Under pressure, Davalbhat was coerced into selling her flat in Narhe to Yuvraj and Komal Valunj. From the proceeds, ₹19.58 lakh was transferred directly to Adv. Abhijeet Valunj’s account. An additional ₹2.5 lakh was reportedly withdrawn in cash by the same accused from her mother’s bank account.
Over time, she was also made to pay ₹18.08 lakh more under the pretext of home loan EMI payments. The accused allegedly pocketed a total of ₹40.43 lakh, without delivering any promised loan or returning the funds.
When Davalbhat repeatedly demanded an explanation and her money back, she was threatened with violence. According to her complaint, the accused told her, “Forget your house and the money you gave. If you ask again, I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”
The fraud reportedly took place between September 2021 and June 2023. The Shivajinagar Police have registered a case and are currently probing the matter under serious criminal charges, including cheating, criminal intimidation, and criminal breach of trust.
Authorities have assured a thorough investigation and legal action against the accused.
