Pune Metal Trader Falls Victim To ₹3.8 Crore Raw Copper Scam; Mumbai Man Arrested
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Pune, November 27, 2025: Khadak police have arrested a Malad East resident from Mumbai for allegedly defrauding a Pune-based metal trader of ₹3.8 crore by luring him with promises of low-cost raw copper sourced from Tanzania. The alleged fraud took place between December 2023 and August 2024.
According to officials, the suspect had been untraceable for months until investigators learned he was hiding in Kolkata. A police team travelled to the city and took him into custody on November 22. The accused has been identified as Bhupendra, also known as Sanjay Kumar Raghav.
Police said the accused, originally from Noida, had created an online business profile claiming he operated out of Dubai and dealt in various metals.
The complainant, a copper utensil manufacturer residing in Raviwar Peth, had been searching online for affordable copper supplies in December 2023 when he came across Raghav’s company. Officers said Raghav convinced him that he owned an office in Dubai and a manufacturing facility in Tanzania capable of supplying large quantities of raw copper.
To make the deal appear genuine, the trader was allegedly taken to Tanzania, where he was shown around 75 tonnes of copper and assured that the shipment would be delivered to India. Trusting the arrangement, the businessman transferred ₹3.8 crore to the accused.
However, the promised copper never reached him, prompting the victim to approach Khadak police and file a complaint. Authorities are now investigating further financial links and possible accomplices involved in the fraud.
