In Thane district, Maharashtra, five individuals have been booked for allegedly defrauding a trader of ₹30 lakh (approximately $36,000 USD) by promising him a dealership for herbal liquor products from a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd. The trader filed a complaint stating that between February and July 2021, the accused—Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare—approached him with a fake distributorship offer. They presented forged documents, including a letter supposedly signed by the company's CEO, and claimed to be authorized representatives. The accused also showcased sample packaging and images of the products to entice the trader into investing. However, after the trader paid the money, they failed to provide any valid license or dealership rights, and he faced verbal abuse and threats from them. Currently, no arrests have been made, and police are actively investigating the case to locate the accused.