Mumbai shipping firm uncovers ₹24 crore fraud by ex-employees and auditors
A Mumbai-based shipping company has reported a financial fraud totalling around ₹24 crore. The case involves multiple accused, including former employees and auditors, who allegedly siphoned off funds over several years. A formal complaint was lodged by the company’s managing director earlier this month. Rajendra Kulkarni, Managing Director of Prathamesh Shipping Pvt. Ltd., filed the complaint on April 16, 2026. The company, which handles customs clearing operations, accused several individuals of diverting funds through fake transactions and manipulated records.
The accused include Rupesh Kataria, Dinesh Mange, and Nitin Trivedi. They allegedly colluded with company auditors to create forged entries and fake audit reports between 2008 and 2016. Funds were transferred to personal accounts under the pretence of loan repayments. Nitin Trivedi is specifically accused of setting up a separate clearing business and diverting client payments into his own accounts. The group also allegedly funneled money into another entity, Prathamesh Container Movers, before moving it to personal use. Kulkarni claimed the accused purchased properties and misused company resources for personal gain. Pydhonie Police Station registered an FIR under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita. The case also includes charges of forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.
The police investigation is now underway, with the FIR formally recorded against the accused. The fraud spans nearly a decade, involving manipulated financial records and misappropriated company funds. Legal proceedings will determine the next steps in the case.
