A coal trader in Ahmedabad has lodged a complaint with the Vastrapur police, alleging that he was defrauded of more than Rs 64 lakh through a series of business transactions that took place over a period of two and a half years.
The complainant, a resident of Bodakdev and a partner in a coal trading firm, reported that the fraud was orchestrated by a broker and four business associates between December 2022 and July 2025. According to the police, the complainant first came into contact with a Kutch-based coal broker through a mutual acquaintance in 2022. The broker presented himself as an experienced intermediary in the coal trade and promised to arrange coal supplies at competitive rates while also securing buyers for the material.
The complainant alleged that based on these assurances, his firm made multiple payments to various companies for coal consignments that were either never delivered or were diverted elsewhere. The First Information Report (FIR) states that the company transferred Rs 7.3 lakh to an entity for coal purchases and was also expecting commission payments from another firm. However, neither the material nor the dues were received.
Further, the complaint says that on the broker's advice, the firm paid Rs 31.5 lakh to an enterprise between January and March 2023 for importing coal from Indonesia. Despite the payments, no coal was supplied. The complainant alleged that he had arranged funds through loans from finance companies and was assured that the loan instalments would be reimbursed, but the payments stopped after a few months.
The complainant also alleged irregularities in transactions involving other firms. He claimed that coal consignments were never delivered despite payments being made, and that false invoices and transport documents were generated in the name of his company to show delivery of material.
According to the police, the complainant has accused several companies of conspiring to cheat his firm of Rs 64.3 lakh. The Vastrapur police have registered an offence of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy, and have launched an investigation into the allegations.
