Brahmavar: Woman arrested for cheating two of Rs 1.45 crore in fake PMEGP loan scam

Mangalore Today News Network

Brahmavar, Oct 27, 2025: Police have arrested a woman accused of defrauding two individuals of over ₹1.45 crore by falsely promising to arrange a government subsidy loan under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).

According to the complaint filed by Saritha Lewis (39), a resident of Herady, Barkur Post, Yadtadi village, Brahmavar, the accused Kaushalya was introduced to her through Anjaline D’Silva in November 2023. Kaushalya reportedly persuaded Saritha—despite initial hesitation—that she could secure a PMEGP subsidy loan.

Over time, Kaushalya allegedly demanded money under various pretexts related to loan processing. Trusting her assurances, Saritha transferred amounts in several installments—both to Kaushalya’s account and in cash—to individuals identified as Sandesh (her husband), Prakash, Ashish Shetty, Rajendra Byndoor, Geeta, Harini, Navya, Kumar, Malathi, Praveen, Hariprasad, Nagaraj, and Bharati Singh. The total amount paid by Saritha reportedly came to ₹80.72 lakh.

Similarly, Kaushalya also lured Saritha’s relative, Anjaline D’Silva, with a promise of a PMEGP loan and collected ₹65 lakh in multiple installments through the same group of associates.

In all, Kaushalya allegedly cheated the two women of ₹1.45 crore, claiming she could secure a ₹4 crore PMEGP subsidy loan, even impersonating a bank official over the phone to gain their confidence.

Following the complaint, a case was registered at Brahmavar Police Station. Police have taken Kaushalya into custody, and further investigation is in progress.