As technology evolves, so do the methods of fraud. In Mangaluru, a new conman has come to light after India's infamous Sukesh Chandrasekhar. This fraudster, Rohan Saldanha, built a fake world of luxury—complete with a lavish bungalow and grand lifestyle—to trick top industrialists and businessmen. His scam was finally exposed when Mangaluru police raided his mansion.
Rohan Saldanha's Web of Deceit
Mangaluru police have arrested this master conman, Rohan Saldanha (45). Rohan used to lure industrialists into his trap by promising hefty loans at extremely low interest rates. He portrayed himself as a top-class financier. He conducted all his dealings from his lavish bungalow located in Jeppinamogaru. People, swayed by the grandeur of his mansion and luxurious lifestyle, fell for his charm and blindly trusted everything he said. Wealthy individuals and businessmen from different states were his main targets.
Saldanha used to invite potential loan seekers to his luxurious home and office. After winning their trust, he would offer loans of 100 crore or more. To make his scheme look credible, he introduced a fake lawyer whose name resembled that of a well-known local lawyer. This fake lawyer would handle document verification and other legal formalities. After that, Saldanha would demand crores of rupees in the name of registration and stamp duty. In some cases, he extorted up to 10 crore. Once he received the money, he would vanish without a trace, leaving the victims shocked and cheated.
Secret Rooms Built Inside Mansion to Hide
During the search of his bungalow, apart from expensive interiors, police found several shocking features. The mansion had secret chambers and hiding spots, seemingly designed to help him disappear suddenly and stay out of sight for extended periods. Police officials stated that wardrobes and cabinets led to hidden areas, which helped him escape suspicious clients, unexpected visitors, or law enforcement.
Earned 40–50 Crore in Just a Few Months
In just a few months, Saldanha defrauded people of 40–50 crore. However, the total scam over several years could be much larger. So far, three cases have been registered against him—two in Mangaluru and one in Chitradurga. Authorities believe there may be many more victims who haven’t come forward due to shame or fear.
Police Arrested Saldanha
Following a complaint by one of the victims, Mangaluru police arrested Saldanha and are now investigating his entire network. Police are searching for possible accomplices and are appealing to other victims to come forward.
