Rahul Dravid files complaint against fraudulent ponzi firm

Bengaluru, March 19: Former Indian cricket team captain Rahul Dravid has lodged a complaint against a Bengaluru-based firm for allegedly cheating him of Rs 4 crore, police said. "Dravid had lodged a complaint with us two days back against Vikram Investment Company for cheating him of Rs 4 crore," Sadashivanagar police inspector Naveen said.

Though there were reports of many sportspersons and other celebrities being duped by the company, Dravid has been the first to lodge a complaint.

A couple of weeks ago, the police had arrested five persons, including a former sports journalist, for allegedly duping several people of crores of rupees through Vikram Investment Company.

The company's owner Raghavendra Sreenath and agents Sutram Suresh (a former journalist), Narasimhamurthy, K C Nagaraj and Prahlad were arrested, Naveen said.

Dravid, in his complaint, alleged that he had invested Rs 20 crore in the company in 2014 on an assurance of getting higher returns, but was yet to get back Rs 4 crore to match his principal investment.

"Dravid has got Rs 16 crore, but he is yet to receive the remaining Rs 4 crore. The cricketer has submitted relevant documents in this regard," Naveen said.

A case was registered against the company and the five persons on the basis of a complaint lodged by one of the investors P R Balaji, who owns an incense sticks company.

The complainant alleged that the agents assured him guaranteed profits in commodity trading, but did not honour it. Sreenath had set up the company and appointed a few men including Suresh as agents promising them enhanced returns on investments, police said.

Badminton Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal too had allegedly invested in the scheme. She was, however, away in Birmingham playing the All England Badminton Championship when the scam unfolded. She's yet to lodge a complaint. Badminton coach Prakash Padukone has also invested in the firm, reports said.

Dravid, known as the Wall, is the India Under-19 cricket team's coach. Under him, the Prithvi Shaw-led Indian junior team defeated Australia to clinch the U-19 World Cup title.

He also coaches India 'A' when not busy with the junior team duties.