Freedom 251 maker Ringing Bells MD Mohit Goel arrested for fraud

Ringing Bells, well known for its controversial world's cheapest smartphone, the Rs. 251 tagged Freedom 251, which even managed to get international attention, has run into trouble once again. 

The Noida based company's Managing Director, Mohit Goel was arrested late Thursday night by Ghaziabad police on charges of fraud. Goel along with four other have been charged for forgery, criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy. The FIR was filed by Ghaziabad based Ayam Enterprises alleging that Ringing Bells defrauded it of of Rs. 16 Lakh.

As per the FIR, Ayam Enterprise was approached by Ringing Bells to take up distribution of phones and accessories in November 2015. They paid Rs. 30 lakh to Riniging Bells, however, Ringing Bells did not keep its promise and Ayam Enterprise asked them to return the amount, but they were not paid full. Ayam Enterprise claims that Ringing Bells paid back Rs. 14 lakh (Rs. 10 lakhs plus goods valued around 3-4 lakh), and a total of Rs. 16 lakhs was pending which was never returned.

The owners of Ayam Enterprises claim that they were threatend with life multiple times, when they approached Ringing Bells for the remaining Rs. 16 lakhs. 

Manish Mishra, Circle Officer (City 2nd),Ghaziabad said “He was brought in for questioning and was arrested after that. He is in police custody right now. The arrest was made following a complaint from the owners of Ayam Enterprises, who alleged that they had taken up the distribution of Freedom251 mobile phones, but the company duped them of Rs 16 lakh,” 

Source