Three arrested in Rs 1K crore ‘Indo-US defence’ project fraud

A suspected nationwide fraud amounting to nearly Rs 1,000 crore has come to light following allegations involving a fictitious Indo-US defence project. Investigators arrested three men in connection with the case after a Bengaluru-based technology company filed a complaint stating it had been cheated out of Rs 1.75 crore. The case was registered at the Vasant Vihar police station in southwest Delhi.

According to reports, the complainant met representatives of a firm named VPVV Techno Construction at its Vasant Vihar office. The accused allegedly claimed the firm handled infrastructure projects and proposed a defence venture under the Indo-US Pacific Peace Treaty, falsely linking it to the US Department of Defence and promising lucrative manufacturing contracts. To gain trust, the accused allegedly displayed forged government documents carrying seals, the national emblem, and constitutional photographs, while withholding others under the pretext of national security.

The fraudsters allegedly staged a public ground-breaking ceremony in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, featuring Indian and US flags, where they arrived by private helicopter before a large gathering. After the promised work orders failed to materialise and refunds were delayed through dishonoured cheques, the complainant approached the Ministry of External Affairs via an RTI application. The ministry confirmed that no such arrangement or US government involvement existed, prompting police action and the arrest of the three suspects.

Not yet reported: The articles do not specify the exact total number of investors or companies trapped outside of the Bengaluru-based complainant firm.