The Bhopal-based investment firm opened its branch at Tajbag here in 1996 and was since collecting money from different investors on a daily basis as part of a small savings scheme. In an abrupt move the firm shut down all its activities here on September 3 and none of its directors could be seen since then.

It was one of the investors, Mazhar Khan Munwar Khan (21) of Harpur Nagar in Tajbag, who first reported the matter to the police. Mazhar had invested Rs 5,000 in the firm and there are several others who have invested more than that only to rue their fate, police said.

The foursome, booked for cheating and common motive, has been identified as Mohammad Umardaraz Qadir Khan (25), Sayyed Ahsan Ali, Mohammad Ali Pathan and Mohammad Rafiq. Thepolice are also in search of some other associates of these four.