Interior designer turned out to be fraud
Hi, Please bear with me this is long.
So, my husband and I purchased a small flat, and applied for personal loan through the same bank for renovations. While application was in process, we found the said guy who gave the lowest quote so obviously we went with him. First mistake. Because my 18 month old baby is very sick, I didn't get to do too much background checking on his webpage and google listing. Second mistake. He gave a design and colors etc. Took advance of 25k to go visit property and take measurements which I'm 100% sure he's not done because he showed me nothing.
He started calling for my payment to start work asap because we told him it's extremely urgent, we can't afford to pay rent and mortgage together. He promised work in 30 days. My bank rejected my loan, after which he promised me loan from his private lenders, I gave him all my details along with my husbands, literally everything one needs to steal an identity. Third mistake.
He says my loan is approved, only matter of time, some guy will call me and finish the process. Nobody ever calls. Says please give me advance, I need to purchase materials so I can start your work, when you get the loan, you can adjust it accordingly. I told him I have some money in saving but it's for my sons treatment (he needs monthly admittance in hospital) he says my loan will come in bank within 4 days, promise.
Yes I realize how stupid I am to believe this shit (I'm just dealing with a lot with my baby so missed the red flags). So I gave him the money, he gave no receipts, but admitted on whatsapp that he received 1.5 lakhs from me. 25k of which were paid through paytm.
He stopped answering phone calls, stopped responding to msgs, didn't start work, wouldn't give a date. I started calling nonstop, he answered, played around give me 1 day give me 2 days etc, I said no, it's almost end of month, you didn't start work and loan not approved. I need my money back you've not done jack shit. After a lot of phone calls, he finally agreed to write a check for only 75k promising the remaining 50k in online transfer (25k for his charges) we agreed. Check bounced, so I sent legal notice, in the meantime, since I actually wanted to avoid court fees etc, I approached our local MLA who is very famous for being helpful in such matters, he called the fraud, asked him to return money, he tells the MLA I will return the money but calls me and says he'll give only half ie only the check amount.
I went to the police station again with help of dg & igp. Finally he transferred 75k (on the 15th day of legal notice), then refuses my total amount, says I only paid 1.25 total and says he's deducting the remaining 50k as his "designing" charges.
I showed cops the proof where he agreed that he received 1.5 lakhs and promised to return 1.25.He promptly leaves the station. What are my options now for get back my 50? I'm already letting him keep 25 for absolutely nothing. Mind you, his business has fake reviews