Surat: A local cryptocurrency investor from Mahidharpura, identified as Hasmukh Patel, age 46, has reported a significant financial loss. He claims to have been defrauded of approximately 2.88 million rupees (Rs 28.8L) in a sophisticated USDT trading scheme. Authorities indicate that the operation involved individuals located both within India and in Dubai. The Mahidharpura police department has officially opened a case and initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.
Patel, who has actively participated in USDT trading for the past year, had previously traveled to Dubai for business purposes. During his visit, he was introduced to an individual named Imran Polra through a mutual acquaintance, Latifbhai. Following his return to Surat, Patel continued his cryptocurrency transactions using a dedicated app, maintaining contact with Polra.
According to the filed First Information Report (FIR), approximately three months prior to filing the complaint, Polra connected Patel with another trader known as Sahil, also referred to as Raul. Polra purportedly assured Patel that Sahil would manage payments related to upcoming USDT trades.
Sahil subsequently requested USDT valued at 2.98 million rupees (Rs 29.80 lakh) from Patel. He informed Patel that the payment for this transaction would be facilitated through a trader named Kunal, who is based in Sachin.
Relying on these assurances, Patel transferred the requested USDT to Sahil. He then contacted Kunal, who stated that the payment would only be released upon receiving confirmation from Sahil. However, Kunal later declined to process the payment, asserting that he never received the necessary confirmation message from Sahil. Despite Patel’s repeated attempts to follow up on the transaction, the promised funds were never received, leading him to formally lodge a complaint with the police against both Polra and Sahil.
The Mahidharpura police are actively pursuing the investigation, focusing on verifying the details of the cryptocurrency transactions and examining the communications exchanged between all parties involved.