Pune: The Market Yard in Pune is witnessing an alarming increase in fraud cases where traders are being duped. Recently, two vendors absconded to another state after selling grocery goods taken on credit, causing significant financial loss to local wholesale traders.

Several wholesale traders supply goods on credit to retail vendors, a practice that has been running smoothly for years. However, this trust-based system has been exploited.

Complaints have been lodged at the local police station about vendors selling the goods to others and fleeing without paying the credit amount.

In one instance, the Crime Branch took the complaint seriously and registered a case. A team was dispatched to Rajasthan, but the accused had already fled by the time the police arrived.

Another complaint was lodged at the Market Yard police station, but no crime was registered, leading to frustration among the traders.

Due to intense market competition, small vendors are often forced to engage in credit transactions. If a vendor absconds with the goods, the expected annual profit is lost, leading to financial strain. Traders have appealed to the police for cooperation in resolving these cases.

Challenges in Registering Complaints

Traders have faced difficulties in getting their complaints registered. They are required to provide comprehensive documentation, including purchase receipts, vehicle numbers, invoices, details of goods given on credit, collected amounts, and bank statements. Despite meeting these requirements, complaints are often not registered.

Police Limitations

Senior police officer acknowledged the limitations faced by the police in apprehending suspects who flee to other states. The officer stated that recovering money for goods given on credit is not the police's responsibility.

R. Raja, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone Five stated, "Traders are advised to exercise caution in their transactions to prevent future fraud."