The Sion Police in Mumbai have arrested a cunning conman who posed as a doctor to defraud pharmaceutical distributors out of lakhs of rupees. The accused has been identified as Mukesh Taleja, originally from Rohtak, Haryana, who previously worked as a medical representative. According to the police, Taleja contacted a distributor of a pharmaceutical company, impersonating Dr. Dipanshu Verma from V.N. Desai Hospital, and gained their trust by claiming an urgent need for medicines.
Between April 30th and May 2nd, he ordered expensive medicines worth approximately ₹5.66 lakh and provided a fake check as payment, which subsequently bounced. By the time the complainant realized the fraud, the accused had fled. The Sion Police registered a complaint and, through technical surveillance, traced the accused and arrested him from Rohtak.
Targeted Victims Through Online Platforms
The investigation revealed that Taleja gathered information about pharmaceutical distributors through online platforms. He would then impersonate doctors from prominent hospitals, contact them, and order expensive medicines. He would provide fake checks for payment and disappear after receiving the goods. The police have recovered 5 mobile phones, blank checks from 13 different banks, a debit card, and medicines worth approximately ₹6.31 lakh from his possession.
In addition, an accomplice of the accused has also been taken into custody from Navi Mumbai. The police have registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act. Authorities suspect that Taleja targeted several companies across the country in a similar manner. The police are now working to uncover his network and identify other victims.
