Man with ₹13,000 Salary Swindles ₹21 Crore, Buys BMW, Bike & 4BHK Flat for Girlfriend
Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): Harshal Kumar Kshirsagar, a 23-year-old contractual staff member working as a computer operator at a state-run sports complex in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, is on the run after allegedly embezzling a massive Rs 21 crore. Despite earning only Rs 13,000 per month, Kshirsagar used the stolen funds to purchase luxury cars and a lavish 4 BHK flat for his girlfriend.
The fraud came to light after a sports department official noticed financial irregularities and filed a complaint. The investigation revealed Kshirsagar’s elaborate scheme. Using an old letterhead from the sports complex, he emailed the bank to change the email address linked to the complex's account. He created a new email account, almost identical to the official one, with just one letter altered. This allowed him to access OTPs and other details necessary for transactions. From July 1 to December 7 this year, Kshirsagar allegedly transferred Rs 21.6 crore into 13 separate bank accounts. The stolen money was used to purchase a BMW car worth Rs 1.2 crore, an SUV valued at Rs 1.3 crore, and a BMW bike costing Rs 32 lakh. Additionally, Kshirsagar gifted his girlfriend a luxurious 4 BHK apartment near the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport and ordered diamond-studded glasses for her.
Police have arrested his colleague Yashoda Shetty and her husband BK Jeevan for allegedly aiding Kshirsagar in the fraud. The luxury vehicles have been seized, and searches are ongoing to arrest the main accused. Authorities suspect more individuals may be involved in this large-scale scam and are collecting documents linked to the bank accounts used for the illicit transactions. Senior police officer Prashant Kadam confirmed that three individuals are named in the FIR, with two arrested and one still on the run. The investigation revealed that Kshirsagar's spending spree included the purchase of gold ornaments in addition to the luxury items. Police teams are continuing their efforts to apprehend him.
