Middleman helps Dubai man apply for loan, takes home his new sedan

BENGALURU: A Dubai-based man, who sought to purchase a brand-new car, alleged that the showroom on Ballari Road delivered the sedan to a middleman from Bengaluru whose help he had sought to avail a bank loan.

Acting on a complaint from Nitheesh Chandran , 33, who is from Kerala and works in Dubai, Sadashivanagar police on March 9 booked an FIR under IPC section 420 (cheating) against Manjunatha and two sales executives of the showroom.

Nitheesh, who works as supervisor in a motor vehicle company in Dubai, came into contact with Manjunatha through his friend Harish. On learning about Nitheesh's plans to buy a car, Manjunath offered help in applying for a loan. He told Nitheesh that it would take at least 20-30 days to process it.

After a week, Nitheesh left for Dubai, instructing Manjunath to inform him after the bank cleared his loan request. Manjunath was also in touch with the showroom to select the car. Nitheesh did not visit the showroom as Manjunath told him that he would make necessary arrangements. Nitheesh chose one car from the photos sent by Manjunath.

According to Nitheesh, even after three months, there was no information about the loan. But one day, the bank officials landed at Nitheesh's house in Kerala to collect the pending EMI. Alerted by the family, Nitheesh rushed to Bengaluru. He found that the showroom had already delivered the car to Manjunath though the loan was sanctioned in his name and payment to the showroom too was made in his name. Manjunath's phone remained switched off.

Based on Nitheesh's complaint, police booked Manjunath and two executives from the showroom. The staff told police that as Manjunath was in touch with the showroom, the car was delivered to him.

Police said Nitheesh should have followed it up with the showroom. Probe revealed the car had been brought to a service centre on Mysuru Road recently.