Expenses of bringing Messi to Kerala: Gold Merchants files complaint alleging fraud by making an app and collecting money

KOCHI: All Kerala Gold & Silver Merchants Association (AKGSMA) has alleged that a section of the association has committed fraud by collecting a huge amount of money by misleading the government that it will cover the expenses of football star Lionel Messi and the Argentine team coming to Kerala. The association's president K Surendran, general secretary Adv S Abdul Nasser and treasurer CV Krishnadas have written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, demanding an investigation into the incident.

The letter demands an investigation into the fraud committed by the AKGSMA Justin Palathara faction, which collected a huge amount of money by misleading the government that it would cover the expenses of Messi and his team's visit to Kerala.

The All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association state committee has demanded a thorough investigation into the fraud by claiming that Justin Palathara's faction collected crores from the gold trade sector by misleading the Sports Minister and the government. Justin's faction participated in a press conference with the Sports Minister and spread the propaganda that they were the ones bringing Messi. As part of this, an app called 'Olopo' was created in connection with the six-month-long Grand Kerala Consumer Festival. The complaint also points out that money was taken from many jewellers by accepting a membership fee of Rs 10,000 through the app.