New Delhi:In a case underlining the growing risks in the pharmaceutical raw material trade, Navsari Rural Police have booked four individuals for allegedly cheating Dahej-based Active Pharm Chemicals LLP of Rs 2.17 crore through a fraudulent procurement deal involving Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). According to the complaint filed by Suresh Jain, proprietor of Active Pharm Chemicals LLP, the accused approached the company between January and June 2025 under the banner of Aviva Life Sciences, Indore. Multiple orders were placed for APIs valued at ₹3.01 crore. The supplier received only ₹84 lakh as part payment. The remaining ₹1.99 crore was issued through cheques that later bounced, leaving the dues unpaid and exposing the supplier to significant financial losses. Police have identified the accused as Rajesh Nair, proprietor of Aviva Life Sciences, along with Vikram Jain and Ashish Jain, who were introduced as purchase managers. A fourth individual, Shivji Tiwari, a Mumbai resident, allegedly assisted in setting up the fake firm to facilitate the fraud. Investigators noted that the suspects initially conducted smaller transactions to build trust before defaulting on larger consignments. A police official explained, “The accused gained the supplier’s confidence through regular transactions and then executed the fraud on large consignments.” Times of Indiareports that all four have been booked under relevant sections of cheating and fraud, and the investigation is continuing to track the money trail and possible additional links. This incident comes at a time when several pharma companies and suppliers have flagged increasing instances of financial frauds targeting the trade.