Pune: A 74-year-old resident of Pune’s Jangli Maharaj Road area was defrauded of ₹3.92 lakh by a contractor who falsely promised to fix a clogged drainage pipeline in his bungalow premises. Despite receiving full payment, the contractor failed to carry out any repairs, prompting the senior citizen to file a complaint with the police.

According to police reports, the incident dates back to December 2024 when the elderly man noticed a blockage in the drainage system within his bungalow premises. Seeking a solution, he reached out to a contractor from the Paud Road area, known for undertaking drainage repair work.

Upon inspecting the site, the contractor allegedly misled the complainant by stating that the pipeline was severely damaged and required extensive repairs. He further claimed that in addition to repair costs, additional fees had to be paid to the municipal corporation, along with expenses for materials, labor, and a crane to lift the pipes.

Based on these assertions, the senior citizen transferred ₹3.92 lakh to the contractor via an online transaction. However, despite receiving the amount, the contractor failed to carry out any repair work, leaving the drainage system in its original clogged state.

Realizing that he had been deceived, the elderly man approached the Deccan Police Station on January 29, 2025 and filed a complaint. Following preliminary investigations, a case of fraud has been registered against the contractor. Police Sub-Inspector Ashwini Pawar has been assigned to handle further inquiries into the matter.