Indian expat dupes many in Oman, goes missing

Muscat: An investor from the south Indian state of Kerala is allegedly missing in Oman after he failed to pay OMR300,000 to at least a half a dozen businessmen since the last week of August.
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According to the duped victims, the three mobile phone numbers of SK, the investor, are not reachable and he is missing from his place of residence in Muscat.
“He took money from me by handing over cheques and other bonds to start a joint business in Oman. Long back, I had worked with him in the same office. So, I thought he is a genuine person. I trusted him,” a businessman, who has lost OMR50,000, told the Times of Oman.
“However, after investing money, I found that nothing was progressing on the business front. So, I produced the cheques in the bank, and found that they were fake ones. Finally, I filed a case with the police in August,” the businessman said. According to a legal advisor, who is handling the duped businessmen’s cases, there are six complaints lodged against SK with the police in Muscat.
“Day by day, the number of people approaching us for assistance to lodge complaint is growing. It seems the amount will go up further,” the legal advisor added.
Another businessman said that when he had launched an individual probe after losing money, he had found many others had loaned SK huge sums of money.
“Cheques were issued in his company’s name. Now, the Omani sponsor is in trouble. SK has made him liable for OMR150,000,” the businessman added. “A few days ago, I met the Omani sponsor. He was looking worried and disturbed. He is a retired person. He was telling us that at the incident has landed him in big trouble and he doesn’t know what to do,” the businessman added.
According to the duped businessman, SK was staying with his family and had sent them back a few months ago.
“However, SK’s passport is still with the sponsor. So, don’t know whether he has left Oman or not. If he has gone to India, then we won’t be able to track him down. We are waiting to hear from the police,” the businessmen added.
In June, another Indian company official had gone missing, leaving two Omani businessmen liable for OMR200,000.
In 2015 also, a number of companies were duped by a trading firm in Muscat, which was owned by an Omani and run by an Indian manager.
The companies claimed they had suffered a loss of at least OMR1 million.