Seawoods: A husband-wife duo allegedly posing as successful mining, transport and shipping entrepreneurs has duped three businessmen of a total of Rs 1.45 crore by promising high returns from business ventures, according to the NRI Coastal Police. An FIR has been registered against the accused, identified as Harishankar Pandey and Neelam Sharma, who are currently absconding.

The police action followed a complaint filed by Sanjay Rai (48), a shipping businessman from CBD Belapur. According to the complaint, Rai came in contact with the accused couple in February 2025. The duo allegedly introduced themselves as owners of a large transport and shipping network operating across India and claimed to be involved in profitable mining projects.

Police said the accused gained Rai’s confidence by making attractive business proposals and assuring quick returns on investments. Trusting their claims, Rai allegedly transferred Rs 46.87 lakh to the couple in several instalments for mining and other business-related ventures. However, when he later sought repayment of the money, the accused allegedly delayed the payment on various pretexts.

The matter escalated in February 2026 when Pandey and Sharma allegedly threatened Rai over the phone, warning him of false criminal cases and serious consequences if he continued demanding his money. Soon after, the couple allegedly left for Delhi.

During his efforts to recover the money, Rai discovered that two other businessmen had allegedly been similarly cheated by the accused. Ganesh Patil was reportedly duped of Rs 62.14 lakh, while Santosh Gharat allegedly lost Rs 36.50 lakh.

Following Rai’s complaint, the NRI Coastal Police registered a case against the couple and initiated a search operation to trace them. Police are investigating whether more businessmen have been targeted using the same modus operandi and have appealed to citizens with information about the accused to approach the authorities.

The police are also examining the financial transactions and the alleged network used by the accused to carry out the fraud.