Dozens of rural women entrepreneurs in the district have been duped for the past three years.
The allegations came to light after dozens of women filed complaints at the Laluk police station in Padmapur area of Laluk in the district. The complainants allege that a woman named Nadikar Zebeen Sultana duped them of crores of rupees by promising them huge returns.
A victim in Padmapur said Jabin persuaded her to take a micro-loan (small loan) and invest the money in her business. Jabeen also promised to pay the EMI of the loan, he said.
But borrowers faced problems when Zebin allegedly stopped paying EMIs after two to three months, after which banks issued loan recovery notices.
The victim further alleged that Jabeen refused to repay the loan and threatened her with police action.
The accused woman allegedly collected over Rs 20 crore from rural women entrepreneurs of Nadika, Kahipora and Padmapur in Lakhimpur district.
A woman from Padmapur said, “Jobin convinced rural women to take seven SHG microloans in one name and promised to return the principal with all EMIs.
Jabeen was allegedly assisted in the scam by her husband Nooruddin Ali and her younger brother Asad Ali Khan, who is associated with a local media portal, as well as some CSP operatives.
Jobin is also alleged to have intimidated his victim by demanding police protection.
Police are yet to arrest the accused.
