Nagpur: A mobile phone seller’s excessive trust in a friend proved costly as he was defrauded of ₹25.20 lakh. The incident occurred in Sitabuldi area, where a fellow mobile vendor allegedly sold phones on credit and failed to return the money.

The complainant, identified as Kapil Nanakani (28), a resident of Jaripatka, owns a mobile store in Sitabuldi. Kapil became acquainted with Nirmal Khubchandani, the son of Jyoti Khubchandani, the proprietor of J.N. Wiresell Solutions, in 2023. The two developed a friendship as both were involved in the mobile phone business. Nirmal, who operates a shop at Lokmat Square, began sourcing phones from Kapil and initially made timely payments, earning Kapil’s trust.

Nirmal purchased mobile phones worth ₹60 lakh from Kapil, paying ₹35.76 lakh but leaving an outstanding balance of ₹25.20 lakh. In November 2024, Nirmal issued a cheque for ₹1.20 lakh, which later bounced. Despite repeated assurances, Nirmal failed to pay the remaining amount and eventually refused outright.

Between November 2023 and October 2024, Kapil supplied 148 mobile phones to Nirmal after the latter claimed he needed phones for clients, including builders and Nagpur Municipal Corporation officials. Trusting his friend, Kapil continued to provide the phones on credit.

When all attempts to recover the dues failed, Kapil approached Sitabuldi Police Station, where a complaint of cheating was registered against Nirmal and Jyoti Khubchandani. Police have initiated an investigation into the case.