The businessman, Amit Kumar Jain of Dasai village of Madhya Pradesh, had left his house on June 29 and arrived in Vadodara the next day.

Police said that he borrowed Rs 1000 from a city-based businessman saying that he had to go to Ahmedabad.

However, Jain did not proceed to Ahmedabad and on July 1 he collected Rs 19,000 from another businessman. ``He was dropped by an employee of the businessman at Bhutri Zhapa bus stand and that was the last time he was seen,'' an officer said.

At about 4 p.m, Amit called up his brother Pankaj informing him that he had collected the money and would soon return home. However, some hours later his brother-in-law who is based at Limdi received a frantic phone call from Amit saying that he was in danger of being killed. ``However, before he could say anything further the connection snapped,'' the officer added.

Pankaj has lodged a complaint with the city police station and a missing report has been lodged.