Luxury-Laden Deception: Mangalore Fraudster Swindled ₹200 Crore from Billionaires

Mangalore: A flashy, high-stakes scam targeting affluent businessmen came crashing down on July 18, 2025, when city police arrested notorious conman Roshan Saldana. Posing as a wealthy entrepreneur, Saldana lured his victims—many based outside Karnataka—into lucrative land and loan deals at his opulent bungalow in Jeppinamogaru, Mangalore. He demanded hefty “stamp duty” fees of ₹5–10 crore upfront for proposed ₹50–100 crore transactions, only to vanish once he had secured the cash. Over three months, his deceptive scheme amassed approximately ₹45 crore, with investigations suggesting the total swindled may reach ₹200 crore.

A dramatic raid on his property revealed hidden CCTV cameras, secret compartments (where he allegedly hid), stacks of blank cheques, and seized assets including 667 g of gold jewellery and a ₹2.75 crore diamond ring. Authorities are now piecing together the full scope of this elaborate luxury-fueled fraud, sending shockwaves through the elite business community.