Alert reseller nabs defaulter after 3 years

MUMBAI
 

AUGUST 31, 2006

Chetan Pandit of Krishna Trading Corporation, who did a disappearing act
three years ago after allegedly defrauding over a dozen resellers, found himself
in the net of an alert reseller, who spotted him hanging around the premises of
Radiant Technology.

“On 29th August, I spotted this 'fraudster' buying goods in cash from
Radiant Technologies,” said Mehul Gandhi of A-Plus Computers. Chetan was
probably dealing with Radiant, as his identity was not known to Radiant. “He
was trying to fool Radiant since he had not cheated Radiant in the past,” said
Mehul.

According to Mehul, Krishna Trading Corporation used to operate from Shivam
Shopping Centre, Opposite New Era Theatre, SV Road, Malad (W), Mumbai, since the
year 2002. When he disappeared from the business in 2003, he owed payment
outstanding to the tune of Rs 15 lakh from various IT products suppliers.

In fact, Mehul alleged that Chetan owed him a payment of around Rs 60,000.
Sources also claimed that Chetan owed money to DC Infotech, Spur Electronics,
Active Infocom, Hallmark Systems and many others.

On the evening when Mehul caught Chetan at Radiant Technology, the former
immediately did a mass SMS to all the dealers who were affected and asked them
to assemble at Radiant's office. The TAIT committee members were also called
to identify and confirm his identity.

He was later handed over to the Police after registering an official
complaint at the Andheri Police Station. Chetan was detained for the night, but
was let off the next day, after he promised to settle all his dues. According to
sources, he has paid a sum of Rs 15000 as of now and the rest he promised to pay
in installments.

Umang Mehta, Spokesperson, TAIT, said “He has named few people who have
purchased goods from him at a discounted price. We are contemplating action
against them also.”

According Umang, the alleged fraudster was using the most common modus
operandi of gaining confidence and developing relations with dealers to take
more credits from many dealers. And when it is time to pay back, he simply used
to refuse. Unfortunately before any serious action was initiated, he had managed
to sneak away three years ago.