A Chembur resident who promised lucrative monthly returns from a so-called “goat and garment business” has been booked for allegedly duping at least ten people — including neighbours and acquaintances — of a total of Rs 83.12 lakh. The accused, Mohammed Ali Salim Shaikh, 40, lured victims with the assurance of a 5 per cent monthly profit on investments, the police said on Monday.

An FIR in this regard was registered at Chembur police station on Monday morning. According to the police, the complainant, Abdul Aziz Abdul Salam Syed, 35, a mehndi artist by profession, invested his hard-earned savings — money he earned both in Mumbai and during a stint working in Dubai. Syed told the police that in December 2023, a colleague, Nilofer, introduced him to Shaikh, claiming that he ran a successful goat trading and garment business, and regularly offered profits to investors.