A man accused of conning businessmen out of crores has been arrested by Mangaluru Police after a dramatic raid on a custom-built home filled with hidden rooms, surveillance equipment, and signs of staggering wealth.
Rohan Saldanha, 45, is now at the centre of a growing investigation after allegedly posing as a high-profile financier offering fake loans and real estate deals to rich entrepreneurs. Police believe he siphoned off at least ₹50 crore from multiple victims across the country.
According to police, Saldanha operated by inviting prospective clients into his lavish bungalow in the Jappinamogaru area of Mangaluru. With designer interiors, expensive artefacts, and luxury vehicles parked outside, the house was built to impress — and deceive.
Once inside, clients were offered business loans worth ₹500 crore or more. He claimed to have strong ties with major financial institutions and even used the name of a well-known regional lawyer to push the illusion. In reality, the "lawyer" was an impostor.
Victims were asked to pay stamp duty, registration charges, or legal fees. The advance amounts varied, usually between ₹50 lakh and ₹4 crore, but in some cases went up to ₹10 crore. Once payments were made, Saldanha vanished. Phone numbers were switched off. Doors shut.
“He shows the visitors lands worth crores. He says he will give loans of ₹500 crores, ₹600 crores. Initially, he swindles four to five crores in the name of commission and stamp duty,” Mangaluru Police said in a statement, as quoted by Mangalorean.com.
Home built to disappear
What the police found inside the house left even seasoned officers stunned. The bungalow wasn’t just opulent — it was engineered for escape.
During a midnight raid led by Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravish Nayak, investigators uncovered:
A web that spans cities
Saldanha’s victims weren’t limited to Karnataka. Police suspect he targeted individuals from Delhi, Mumbai, and other parts of the country. So far, three FIRs have been filed — two in Mangaluru and one in Chitradurga. But officials say this could just be the tip of the iceberg.
Police revealed that one of his bank accounts recorded over ₹40 crore in transactions in just three months. A senior official told the press, "His financial records show over ₹40 crore in transactions in the last four months."
The total value of seized items from his residence has crossed ₹6.5 lakh. This includes cheques, forged documents, jewellery, liquor, and a diamond ring worth ₹2.75 crore. An excise case has also been registered due to the possession of alcohol in quantities above legal limits.
How he was caught
It was a tip-off that finally led to his arrest. A team from the Central Crime Branch tracked him down and found him hiding inside his own house. Concealed within his maze-like property, he had managed to avoid detection — until now.
Rohan Saldanha, also known as Roshan Saldana in some official records, is a resident of Bollagudda in Bajal. He is now in custody, and police are probing possible accomplices and the source of his assets. Authorities are also examining whether his operations are linked to broader financial crimes, including money laundering.
Police have urged others who may have been defrauded to come forward. Many, they suspect, remain silent due to embarrassment or fear.
A senior officer summed it up plainly: “This man built an empire of lies, one meeting at a time. We believe many victims haven’t reported the fraud yet.”
As investigations widen, the case is becoming a stark reminder of how appearances can be misleading — and how trust, once exploited, can cost crores.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI, TOI)
Rohan Saldanha, 45, is now at the centre of a growing investigation after allegedly posing as a high-profile financier offering fake loans and real estate deals to rich entrepreneurs. Police believe he siphoned off at least ₹50 crore from multiple victims across the country.
According to police, Saldanha operated by inviting prospective clients into his lavish bungalow in the Jappinamogaru area of Mangaluru. With designer interiors, expensive artefacts, and luxury vehicles parked outside, the house was built to impress — and deceive.
Once inside, clients were offered business loans worth ₹500 crore or more. He claimed to have strong ties with major financial institutions and even used the name of a well-known regional lawyer to push the illusion. In reality, the "lawyer" was an impostor.
Victims were asked to pay stamp duty, registration charges, or legal fees. The advance amounts varied, usually between ₹50 lakh and ₹4 crore, but in some cases went up to ₹10 crore. Once payments were made, Saldanha vanished. Phone numbers were switched off. Doors shut.
“He shows the visitors lands worth crores. He says he will give loans of ₹500 crores, ₹600 crores. Initially, he swindles four to five crores in the name of commission and stamp duty,” Mangaluru Police said in a statement, as quoted by Mangalorean.com.
#WATCH | Karnataka | Police conducted a raid at the residence of fraudster Rohan Saldana and detained him, late last night in Mangaluru pic.twitter.com/Wy02JnRm2W
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2025
Home built to disappear
What the police found inside the house left even seasoned officers stunned. The bungalow wasn’t just opulent — it was engineered for escape.
During a midnight raid led by Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravish Nayak, investigators uncovered:
- Hidden rooms concealed behind wardrobes and cupboards
- Underground tunnels with secret staircases
- High-definition surveillance rooms
- A stash of vintage champagne and expensive liquor
- Rare ornamental plants worth ₹3–5 lakh each
A web that spans cities
Saldanha’s victims weren’t limited to Karnataka. Police suspect he targeted individuals from Delhi, Mumbai, and other parts of the country. So far, three FIRs have been filed — two in Mangaluru and one in Chitradurga. But officials say this could just be the tip of the iceberg.
Police revealed that one of his bank accounts recorded over ₹40 crore in transactions in just three months. A senior official told the press, "His financial records show over ₹40 crore in transactions in the last four months."
The total value of seized items from his residence has crossed ₹6.5 lakh. This includes cheques, forged documents, jewellery, liquor, and a diamond ring worth ₹2.75 crore. An excise case has also been registered due to the possession of alcohol in quantities above legal limits.
How he was caught
It was a tip-off that finally led to his arrest. A team from the Central Crime Branch tracked him down and found him hiding inside his own house. Concealed within his maze-like property, he had managed to avoid detection — until now.
Rohan Saldanha, also known as Roshan Saldana in some official records, is a resident of Bollagudda in Bajal. He is now in custody, and police are probing possible accomplices and the source of his assets. Authorities are also examining whether his operations are linked to broader financial crimes, including money laundering.
Police have urged others who may have been defrauded to come forward. Many, they suspect, remain silent due to embarrassment or fear.
A senior officer summed it up plainly: “This man built an empire of lies, one meeting at a time. We believe many victims haven’t reported the fraud yet.”
As investigations widen, the case is becoming a stark reminder of how appearances can be misleading — and how trust, once exploited, can cost crores.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI, TOI)
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