Victor Jesudasan (58), a pastor from Vellore has been arrested for cheating people and swindling money in the name of providing scholarships to children’s education.
Kumar, a resident of Kangeyanallur next to Katpadi in Vellore district, works as a laborer, has two children – a son and a daughter. Struggling to make ends meet, he was in need of money for his children’s education. Kumar was informed that a trust run by Victor Jesudasan of Anthonyar Koil Street in Salavanpet area of Vellore is helping children with scholarship.
He met Victor and asked for his help who said that it would cost ₹20,000. Kumar gave ₹20,000 to Victor, hoping that his children would get scholarship. However, no money came from the pastor even after several days. When Kumar met him to ask for the money, he gave a cheque to Kumar which bounced. Later, when Kumar confronted the pastor and asked for a refund, he insulted and threatened the poor labourer with inappropriate words.
Following this, Kumar has lodged a complaint with the Vellore DIG seeking action against Victor Jesudasan. It was only when the police began their investigation based on the complaint that pastor Victor was involved in many such fraudulent activities. It was learnt that he had similarly taken money from more than ten people in the area around Kangeyanallur claiming to provide assistance for buying house, old age allowance, scholarship, sewing machine and a vehicle for the disabled through a trust he runs.
Local media reports note that the pastor had collected up to ₹2,27,000. Police are investigating whether if he started the foundation to receive funds from Church organizations abroad.
(Source: Daily Thanthi, Kathir News)