Man held for posing as builder, cheating crores

CHENNAI: Tambaram Police on Saturday arrested Jagannathan (50) from Madurai who posed as a builder and looted crores from many people in the suburbs.

Jagannathan introduced himself as a builder to Shanmugam of Tambaram, saying that he owns 60 acres of land in Madurai.

Police said that he had told Shanmugam that he wanted to sell the land. Sanmugam who was inter- ested in buying the property and paid advance money of Rs 65 lakh to Jagannathan, who also gave a signed agreement after taking the money. Soon, Jagannathan went missing and his mobile phone was also reachable. Shanmugam filed a complaint with the Tambaram police commissioner’s office.

Jagannathan was arrested a few days ago. Investigations revealed that Jagannathan had cheated many people in the suburbs. He had told Rajamani

and Subramani of Guduvanchery that he’d construct a house for them in 21 cents and received an advance of Rs 1.7 crore. Jagannathan also took a loan of Rs 8 crore from the bank in both their names.

Police said he had also cheated many people in Pallavaram and Hastinapuram. He was remanded in judicial custody and sent to prison.