Freedom 251 Smartphone Founder Mohit Goel Arrested For Duping Rs 200 Crores From Dry Fruit Traders

Mohit Goel, was arrested by Noida Police, for allegedly defrauding dry fruit traders from different parts of the country worth Rs 200 crores.

Mohit Goel | PTI File Image

Noida based entrepreneur Mohit Goel is in headlines once again, not for completing his promise of delivering the world’s cheapest smartphones but for being arrested in a dry fruit fraud case. Mohit Goel was arrested by Noida Police, for allegedly defrauding dry fruit traders of Rs 200 crores from different parts of the country. As per police, Goel along with his five accomplices were running a dry fruit business under a company named Dubai Dry Fruits and Spices Hub at one of the premium office locations in Noida. Police combed down the “Dry Fruit Gang” after registering around 40 complaints of fraud by traders from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and a few other states. READ | Will Nirmala Sitharaman Extend Relief To Covid-Hit Middleclass Taxpayers? What Was The Modus Operandi The Dry Fruit Gang Followed? As per police reports, in order to win the trust of the traders, the gang at first used to buy dry fruits at prices higher than the normal markets and would make timely payments to win their trusts. After gaining trust from the traders, the gang later placed bulk orders and would pay 40 per cent of the order in advance through net banking and assured the due amount to be paid via cheques. The cheques for the due payment were issued but would bounce at the bank. Goel Comes With A History Of Duping Mohit Goel is not a new name in the list of controversies. In 2016, Goel came into the limelight when his company Ringing Bells announced Freedom 251 smartphone at Rs 251. With such a low price tag, the scheme came under the lens of the government when Goel claimed that his company got over 50 million orders for the cheapest smartphone. The smartphones were never delivered. Goel again made it to the news again in 2017, after being arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a businessman to "settle a gang-rape case".