Cops tells church to return fake bank money

Aizawl, Nov 19(UNI) The police have requested the churches to return the money related to the Chiahpuam financial scam which their members had donated to the churches.

Even as several Chiahpuam investors have returned the money which they had 'earned' from the Chiahpuam fake bank, the police requested the churches to return the money too.

" We have learnt that a good number of investors had donated the money they earned from the illegal investment. We request the churches to return the money to enable us to recover as much the invested money as possible," a police statement said today.

With the recovery of Rs 50 lakhs from an undisclosed place on Wednesday, the police's special investigation team has so far recovered a total of Rs 3,33,69,340 from various persons in connection with the pyramid financial scam. It is believed that over Rs 300 crores was involved in the pyramid scam.

So far the police have arrested 28 persons, including two non-Mizos residing respectively in Silchar and Pathankandhi respectively in Assam.

The seized articles included 72 cheque books, 21 land settlement certificates, three buses, 18 light vehicles and five motor bikes.

They have received 1484 FIRs.

Meanwhile, cashiers of the state's health services directorate and corporation departments have been suspended for investing Rs 1.30 crores and Rs 27 lakhs respectively of the departments' money in the fake bank.Kingpin of the pyramid scam Mrs C Lalmuanpuii is now in the police custody.

UNI ZS ADG DB1755