Kerala couple absconds to Kenya after Rs 40 crore chit fund scam in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: A massive chit fund scam has rocked Bengaluru with over 400 victims coming forward to file complaints against a Kerala-based couple who allegedly cheated investors of nearly Rs 40 crore before fleeing the country to Kenya.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru East, D Devaraja, the accused operated under the name A&A Chit Fund and hailed from Alappuzha, Kerala. “This was owned by a couple hailing from Alappuzha, Kerala. On 5th July, some people came to Ramamurthy Nagar police station and registered a complaint, saying that they had invested in the A&A Chit Fund company, and now the owners, the couple, are absconding”, the officer said.

#WATCH | Karnataka: On Bengaluru chit fund scam, DCP Bengaluru East, D Devaraja says, “… This was owned by a couple hailing from Alapuzha, Kerala. On the 5th, some people came to PS Ramamurthy Nagar and registered a complaint telling that they had invested in the A&A Chit Fund… pic.twitter.com/UAFTGxRokh

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025

DCP Devaraja added, “We registered a criminal case under BNS 318, 317, Chit Funds Act of 1982, and different sections of the BUDS Act (Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019). Initial investigation revealed that the couple had sold their assets, including a house and vehicles, at undervalued prices, raising suspicions about a planned escape.

“During the preliminary investigation, we came to know that they had made preparations to abscond. They had sold their house and cars to different people at off-price. The accused have left the country on 3rd July for Kenya on a tourist visa…”, DCP Devaraja informed. To date, over 400 complaints have been registered, with the majority of victims originating from Kerala.

DCP Devaraja said, “From July 5 till today, the total number of complaints received is more than 400… The total amount cheated is almost Rs 40 crores… Most of the complaints are from Kerala”. Police are currently scrutinising bank records and financial transactions linked to the couple to trace the money trail and identify any possible accomplices.

Commenting on the incident, Congress leader Ramesh Babu highlighted that chit funds fall under the jurisdiction of the state; however, he also pointed to the Centre’s responsibility in regulating non-banking finance companies (NBFCs).

#WATCH | Karnataka: On the Bengaluru Chit Fund scam, Congress leader Ramesh Babu says, “Chit Fund comes under the jurisdiction of the state because we have to give licence to the Chit Fund to function… If it comes under the RBI, the central government has to monitor… pic.twitter.com/lH82oZYr18

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025

Babu said, “Chit fund comes under the jurisdiction of the state because we have to give a licence to the chit fund to function. If it comes under the RBI, the central government has to monitor microfinance. They have to put strict rules with respect to microfinance, especially on non-banking finance companies putting heavy interest on the customers.”

Babu alleged that NBFCs were charging interest rates ranging from 21 per cent to 32 per cent, often in the guise of selling household items on credit. “They are charging 21 per cent to 32 per cent in the name of home appliances. They are cheating. I request the central government to monitor this and also request the state government to control the chit fund and safeguard the interests of the investors,” Babu said.

Meanwhile, one affected investor has claimed she was personally defrauded of Rs 30 lakh, stating she had known the accused couple for nearly 30 years. She said, “I have invested Rs 30 lakh and I have known them (the absconding accused) for almost 30 years. The whole family has cheated. They have cheated on all 700 people. We even met DK Shivakumar and the home minister”. (ANI)