KING OF CON

                             

Note: This story is a work of fiction, and it doesn’t apply to any historical references or real-life incidents. The sequences of this story are explained in chronological format, and I follow non-linear narration. It’s a spin-off to my previous story “Solicitor: Chapter 1.”

Jordan Caleb is a native of Bengaluru in Karnataka. He faces 15 FIRs. To lead a lavish lifestyle, he duped people in Bengaluru and Chennai of several crores. Caleb who is in his late 30’s used to con businessman promising loans or try to settle any legal cases for a price. He was arrested by the police in 2019.

After his arrest, copy selfies of him and an actress Anjali Fernandez went vital on social media. There were two such photos. Believed to be clicked between April-June this year, when Jordan was released by the court on interim bail, one of the photos features Jordan planting a kiss on Anjali’s cheek. Whereas in another one, as the alleged conman clicks the mirror selfie, the actress is seen kissing his cheek.

The Bollywood actress has been summoned by the ED multiple times for interrogation. On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate once again sent her a summon to join the ongoing probe. She will appear before the ED on Wednesday and face questions in connection with a Prevention of Money laundering case lodged against multimillionaire conman Jordan.

The officers were shocked to know that the fraudster allegedly pampered her with limited edition perfumes, expensive bags and dresses, as well as booked private jet and other luxury items. Jordan had given gifts worth Rs. 5.71 crore to her. Apart from that, Anjali’s relatives were given a hefty sum of US $ 173,000 and 27,000 Australian dollars as loans. The gifts included three Persian cats each worth rupees 9 lakh, an Arabian Horse that costs 52 lakh rupees, a diamond set with 15 pairs of earnings, expensive crockery, designer bags of expensive brands like Gucci and Chanel, two Gucci brand gym outfits, several pairs of Louis Vuitton brand footwear, two Hermes brand bracelets, a Mini Cooper car and many Rolex brand watches.

She was also given the BMW X5 car by Jordan and he had also reportedly gifted a Maserati car to Anjali’s parents and a Porsche car from Bahrain to her mother. Now, the officer questioned her about Jordan to which she said: “Sir. His name is Shekhar Ratnavel. Not Jordan.”

“Shekhar Ratna?” asked the inquiring officer.

“Yes. He is the owner of Sun TV network” said Anjali. The officer exclaimed in shock. He was surprised when she said: “He is the partner of Sun TV network.”

The officer laughed uncontrollably and said to her: “His name is neither Sekhar Reddy nor Suresh Reddy. His name is Jordan Caleb. He is not the owner of Sun TV too. There are more than 50 cheating cases registered against him.” Anjali was terribly shocked and heartbroken upon hearing this. Since, she pondered marrying the conman.

She even informed some of her friends that, “She had discovered her “dream man” and that he would soon be in front of everyone.

Jordan was detained by Delhi police in the Rs. 200 crore extortion case now being investigated by the ED, in which Anjali Fernandez also has been named as an accused as she had received gifts worth crores from the conman. She had gotten emotionally attached to Jordan, until one day her hairdresser gave the celebrity a news article outlining the conman’s criminal past. Anjali read the news story and was indignant.

She contacted Pinky Irani, who was given the responsibility of introducing the celebrity to the con artist and was purportedly paid in crores of rupees for the assignment.

“Listen Anjali. Society invites the crime and criminals accept the invitation.” Pinky Irani attempted to sway Anjali from her position when she informed her about Jordan’s history. Arbaz Khan, as many people are aware, is quite close to Anjali and has always stood by her at times.

Arbaz Khan and Aravinth Kumar had both counseled Anjali to avoid Jordan. She was advised by her co-stars to be wary of Jordan. But she continued meeting him and accepting expensive gifts like cars and pedigree pets.

FEW MONTHS LATER

SEPTEMBER 2022

MADURAI, TAMILNADU

Few months later on September 2022, Thilip Krishna, an Youtuber and respected advocate in Madurai meets Ravichandran, a retired IAS officer, who is doing research about rising youth criminals in India. Meeting Ravichandran he asked him: “Sir. I am investigating about Jordan Caleb. May I know more about him with your help?”

“Behind every successful fortune, there’s a crime Thilip. Let me remind you that in today’s generation, youngsters are greedy. They wanted to earn money through laundering, drugs, ganja, cheating and robbery. The main reason is cinema. It spoiled them a lot.” Ravinchandran continued to tell about Jordan and his heist crimes in various places.

FEW MONTHS BACK

KOCHI, KERALA

In Kochi, Jordan has promised Emmanuel Silks to bring in Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif for a promotional programme. He had even taken Rs. 20 Lakh from them. However, he brought Telugu superstar Allu Arjun for the showroom’s inauguration in Kottayam.

He had gifted a luxury car to Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi. Jordan made the claim while he was being produced by the Enforcement Directorate before the court, which sent him and his wife actress-model Shruthiga to judicial custody. On further being asked what car had he gifted to the Bollywood actor, Jordan said, “Why don’t you ask her about it?”

The ED recorded Fatehi’s statement on October 14, during which it learnt about the gift from Jordan.

APRIL 17

TIHAR JAIL

The alleged conman was lodged in Tihar Jail after getting arrested in April 2017 from a hotel in the EC bribery case. He is accused of running an extortion ring worth Rs. 200 crore from inside the Tihar jail in Delhi. He was arrested for allegedly taking money from TTV Dinakaran to bribe Election commission officials to get the AIADMK ‘two leaves’ symbol for the Sasikala faction in a by-election to the R.K.Nagar assembly seat in Tamil Nadu. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa, who represented the assembly segment.

Posing as B.S.Yedyurappa’s relative, he has duped more than 100 people promising to get their job done in Bengaluru. He used to buy expensive cars, including Rolls Royces from the extorted money. In Tamilnadu, Jordan would usually travel in a car with beacon and claimed that he was the son of then Chief Minister M. karunanidhi. He has also duped many people, posing as nephew of late Andhra Chief Minister Y.S.R.Reddy and Secretary of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa.

He has also played a middleman to help T.T.V.Dinakaran to get the AIADMK’s ‘two leaves’ symbol for Rs. 60 crore in 2017.

PRESENT

At present, Thilip is shocked to learn about the crimes of Jordan. He questioned Ravichandran: “How people believed him sir? How he conned them easily?”

“Behind every successful fortune, there’s a crime Thilip.” Drinking the coffee, he continued: “He uses bouncers from private firms. Calling them, he claims him as the son of T.R.Balu. Believing him to be the son of a big minister, people falls for his con. He would swindle money and escape.”

2010

CHENNAI

In 2010, Jordan moved to Chennai, where he takes an apartment. The rental costs around 50,000. To the house owner, he said: “I am the son of G. Karunakara Reddy. I have came here for an important work. And hence, I am staying here.”

Pausing a while, he continued: “I will buy you certain amount of cars. It would come in auction. I would get them through 90% auctions.” Falling prey to this plan, the house owner gives five lakhs apart from giving house rent to him.

One of his partner asked him, “How you manage to con people this easily da?”

For this, Jordan replied: “Greed is the assumption that it is all for my consumption.” Sitting in the expensive apartment, he claimed himself as the son of Alagiri and forms enough evidences for him. He speaks with his client so clearly with accurate information on documents, government officers and office to finish the works. He cheated so many people through such contracts.

More than 13 Lakhs was swindled by Jordan. Not only in Chennai. He even conned a theater owner from Madurai. To this man, he said about buying a new digital system from a customer. He received an amount of 5 Lakh as 10% commission. Since cases were booked against him for his scams, Jordan escaped to Bangalore.

Most of the people, who were conned by Jordan actually gave their black money to Jordan. And even their journey is in wrong direction. They try to finish their duties to government in such a way. Hence, many doesn’t lodge a complaint to the police because of the fear that: “They might fall in trouble.”

Meanwhile, Jordan shifts to another place in Bangalore, where he poses himself as the leader and head of Development projects. Before getting bribes, he would ask for the list of all documents by collecting more than thirty to forty documents. Receiving 10% commission from people, he will tell: “Ok. All the document proofs are correct. I have sent them. If you give 10% commission to me, the work would be done successfully in the next 15 days.”

He used to say so. After getting 25 lakhs, he goes missing. Even in the parking lot, he cheated Aruna, a lady from Hosur for 70,000 by posing himself as the head officer. Without even giving a second thought of: “Whether a head officer would work in a parking lot” the lady fell prey to his words. Since, he know how to speak and handle with various people. And he have the ability to deceive people.

Even many police officers who arrested him have said: “He have such a great skill to speak and con people with his intelligence and knowledge.” At one point of time, Jordan faced severe problems. Since, he had other plans.

As per his point of view, “He can cheat people by fuelling their greed for money and wealth.” He have people for contract and for cheating, he himself is enough. But, needed people for funding them. So, he brainwashed bank officers by telling that: “They would receive 4% commission if the officers gave money to the people by telling them as big industrialists.”

He received documents from them and gives to the bank officials, who change those things against the law and credits 19 crores to them. Jordan takes 13 crores from the amount and escapes. With this, he became popular in 2013.

PRESENT

Thilip Krishna was terribly shocked after hearing this entire episode of Jordan Caleb. He tells Ravichandran: “I initially thought that if people are there to get cheated, there are people to cheat them. But, it’s not the case.” Controlling his laughter, he continued: “You remember T.T.V.Dinakaran sir?”

“Yes. He is one of the influential politician in Tamil Nadu. Saw so many problems and challenges in the arena of politics.” Now, Thilip said to him: “This guy have cheated T.T.V.Dinakaran itself sir for Rs. 1.3 crores in Delhi on 2017 by telling himself as the relative of an Election commission officer. He promised him that he would get back the two leave symbol of his party. That’s why I was damn serious to know about Jordan Caleb. Because, the case became big.”

Ravichandran was terribly shocked. He wondered, how he missed such a big and important evidence. Now, he said to Thilip: “How much intelligent he is! He even conned T.T.V.Dinakaran. He could have talked so much to him.”

“This clearly shows us that, he have a thorough research and analysis of the people, whom he cons. Only after investigating about them, he plans his scams.” Ravichandran added and he said the aftermath of Jordan’s case.

2019-2022

DELHI

Through the case of T.T.V.Dinakaran, he is known to Tamilnadu somehow. But, he is known all over India, particularly to the police department. After this, he was caught for 200 crore scam. One day, a lady Shobana Singh comes to lodge a complaint in Delhi.

“Sir. A person have cheated me.”

“How he deceived you?” asked the police officer in the station. The lady said: “Telling me that, he would save my husband, that guy got a bribe from me. I think so. Now, he is blackmailing and threatening me sir.”

“Who is he?” asked the cop to which, the lady tells: “He is Shek…Shekar Reddy sir.” The police officer doesn’t understand what the lady told and asked her the man’s photo. Since the photo is not there, she gives the phone number of that man. After searching the man’s phone number, the police officer managed to seek the photo of that convict.

Showcasing the man’s photo, he asked the lady: “Is he that man madam?”

“Yes. He was the guy, sir.” Shocked, the police officer asked her: “How could he deceive you for such a big amount madam? It’s impossible mam.”

“Why sir?” asked the lady in fear. For that the police officer replied: “He is sitting in the jail, right. How could he cheat you by sitting in such a big jail.” The lady was stunned and shocked for one minute. She once again questioned the police officer doubtfully: “What are you telling sir? Is it true?”

“Madam. It’s not a small jail. Tihar jail mam. How could a person in jail cheat you? I can’t believe this.” The police officer said. But, the lady shows proofs and evidences against him by showcasing the accounts through which she sent 200 crores in five attempts to Hong Kong. And she even sent cash amount to three more men in person at various locations. Upon searching this, the officer shockingly realized that it’s all truth.

PRESENT

At present, Thilip’s face shrinks in shock. He doesn’t know what to speak. Now, he asked Ravichandran: “How is it possible for Jordan to do this by sitting inside the jail sir? I can’t able to believe this.”

AUGUST 2021

Despite being in jail, Jordan did not stop conning people. He(with a cellphone procured illegally in prison) with the help of technology, made spoofed calls to dupe people as the numbers displayed on the called party’s phone number belonged to senior government officers. While speaking(from prison) to these persons, he claimed to be a government officer offering to help people for a price.

With the help of another convict in the jail, Jordan did this crimes. He collected important details and background of the prisoner before planning his scams. Since the prisoner owns 2375 crores of property, Jordan posed himself as a Central Minister agency’s officer, he said: “You should meet a particular men and send important documents, so that he can help them.” When asked for the reasons to help, he claimed that: “Corona is spreading faster. At this point of time, being a medical company’s owner, he(the prisoner) can help the government in need. Medical company’s owners are needed to help the government in need. Officials believe that it could be helpful for them. Most importantly, government wishes to place these owners at important positions in the medical department. Hence, the government is ready to bail him out. But, she need to do one thing. To send 10% commission amount as the growth fund for the political party.”

He guided her about the procedures of sending the cash and other documents. Believing him, Shobana didn’t even inform these things to her husband and family members. Since, Jordan handled her so smartly so that, she won’t inform them at any cause by warning her that: “If she tells this to any of her friends or relatives, things would be leaked. So, no one should know about this at any cause.” She believed that: “This is a secret between her and the government.”

As she was sending continuous amount to them, she realized there’s no improvement in her husband’s case. Informing the same, she said: “If the case progress faster, she will send 50 crores to them.” But, Jordan threatened to put her and her family in prison, if she opposed the government. Fearing the same, she sent the amount to him and waited for some period of time. After this, she lodged a complaint to the police. 

PRESENT

Although shocked initially, Thilip doesn’t felt anything serious in this case. He said to Ravi: “The one, whom he cheated are mostly influential people and those, who wanted to earn money through wrongdoings. Hence, he deceived them and they too got cheated. What’s there in this sir?”

“No. You can’t justify like such Thilip.” Drinking a dip of water, Ravi questioned Thilip: “Do you know the present condition of Jordan?”

Thilip doesn’t answer to the question. While, he kept a letter in the table and said: “Jordan wrote a three page letter without any life security and large amount of mental pressure. I don’t know how much true it is. May be it’s an attempt to fool entire Indian nation for some cause.”

Thilip is requested by Ravichandran to create a social awareness on the same cause through his video channel: “Thilip Answers” where he have questioned and exposed the true face of various political parties and their corrupt activities. Since, it would be really helpful for the current youngsters. Thilip accepts and heads to his house in his car.

EPILOGUE

“It’s nothing wrong to think that, the economy should come in a good state. But, the path which we choose for this measure is important. And it’s a big challenge for us. Jordan is really brilliant. I said his crime cases and scams so easily. If the same guy was there somewhere in Trading and in service sector or in the production sector, he would have come big if he used his talent in agriculture sector and other important things. This guy could have been rich at this point of time, if he was in a right direction. He went in a wrong path at the age of 18-19-20 years. There’s nothing wrong in choosing wrong direction. But, we have to learn out of our mistakes. Instead of reforming our mistakes, we rather develop these mistakes. But in the near future, these things will put you up in huge troubles.”