Lookout notice against four of family in Rs 25.5 cr cheating case

BENGALURU: The Basaveshwaranagar police have issued a lookout notice against four people of a family, including Rahul Thonse, his mother, sister and brother-in-law, who are currently living abroad.

Rahul Thonse, accused in a Sandalwood drugs case, had allegedly cheated entrepreneur Vivek Hegde and his friends of Rs 25.5 crore. The victims had invested in a casino, believing Rahul’s promises of high returns.

An FIR had been registered against Rahul, his father Ramakrishna, and mother Rajeshwari. Rahul Thonse’s father Ramakrishna Rao was arrested earlier, but he had obtained bail from the High Court, claiming that he had no role in the case. The police have now issued a lookout notice against the remaining four accused, including Rahul Thonse.

In July 2023, complainant Vivek Hegde was introduced to Ramakrishna Rao through a friend. Ramakrishna Rao told Vivek that he had several businesses in Sri Lanka and Dubai that were profitable.

He convinced Vivek to invest with him by promising high returns and even introduced him to his daughter Raksha and son-in-law Chethan over the phone. They told him that they would give a loan at 4 per cent of interest. Ramakrishna Rao told Vivek that his son-in-law and daughter owned a table in a casino in Sri Lanka, and his son Rahul handled the business. After several phone conversations and promises to give high interest, they also took the complainant to Sri Lanka. Rahul had taken him to Bella and Jio Casino in Sri Lanka and made him believe in the business venture.

Vivek invested Rs 3.5 crore, and his friends invested Rs 22 crore, but they got cheats. When Vivek asked for his money back, the accused blocked his phone number. The accused, including Rahul Thonse, his father Ramakrishna, and mother Rajeshwari, had previously been accused of cheating actress Sanjjanaa Galrani.

Sanjjanaa had earlier filed a complaint against Rahul Thonse and his parents in Indiranagar. Actress Sanjjanaa had filed a complaint against him for cheating on the pretext of investment.