COIMBATORE: Six persons were arrested for allegedly cheating a woman of Rs. 3 lakh for bringing Rs. 40,000 crore to India from Russia.

According to police, Sharmi (35), who runs a beauty parlour in Erode and a resident of Avarampalayam in the city, was approached by one Poongodi, who suggested her to set up a self help group, by collecting Rs.10,000, which will yield Rs. 1 lakh on rotation basis.

Poongodi also informed Sharmi that she has to pay Rs.1.20 crore to Reserve Bank of India, for bringing Rs.40,000 crore from Russia, where the family has sold Iridium and tried to lure her by promising to pay half of the amount, if she helped with money.

Sharmi paid Rs. 3 lakh and after a few days Poongodi sought another Rs. 65 lakh so that she can bring money. She also introduced five persons to Sharmi, police said.

Sharmi, who grew suspicious, promised to pay Rs. 65 lakh in Coimbatore, where the six-member gang was staying.

On information, police descended on the scene around midnight on Tuesday and arrested all the six – Poongodi, her husband Mohankumar, Satishkumar and John Samipillai of Chennai Kuppanraj of Tiruvallur and Devakumar from Vellore.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang has cheated many women to the tune of Rs.50 lakh and further investigations are on, they said.