MUMBAI: Just as the government is cracking the whip to weed out black money, a lucrative trade has cropped up where the salaried class are tapped by the tax evaders who are exploring many ways to cut their “losses”. If you are a white-collared private sector employee, agents are likely to approach you with the offer of putting at least Rs 2 lakh in your bank account, but you have to return only Rs 1.8 lakh after two-three months.These people are approaching the salaried through acquaintances, and will only tap those whom they know. A 10% premium will help you earn up to Rs 60,000 in just a few months if you can use three family members’ accounts. The premium may rise to as high as 25% if you can get higher number of bank accounts involving more family members. Higher the sum, better the premium.“Someone in my office informed me of such an “investment opportunity,” said Mumbai-based Joydeep Shome, who works as senior manager in a large tiles manufacturing company. “But I have declined.” The situation is the same for Mumbai-based SK Jain, who works for a large air-condition manufacturing company.“Somebody whom I know has approached me. I could have earned as high as one lakh rupees in just a few months, but I want a black money-free society,” he said.The experience is no different for Kolkata-based Ranjoy Ghosh, who is a telecom engineer. As a guarantee to return the money, the people who are depositing the money in the account are also taking a cheque drawn by the bank account holder mentioning the proposed sum. The cheque will be encashed at a later date, mutually agreed upon.“The scheme is working mostly on trust factor and is a win-win for both. The possibility of cheque bouncing is too little as it is now difficult to withdraw large sums of money from the banks,” said a consultant who is aware of the matter.“Original sources may target select real estate builders, shop and bar owners, hoteliers, small businessmen and professionals like doctors,” the person said.Last week, finance minister Arun Jaitley said nobody would be harassed over smaller deposits — less than Rs 2.5 lakh —as people began thronging banks nationwide to exchange or deposit Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes that have been demonetised.People can deposit money using old series notes between November 10 and December 30. Deposits of Rs 2.5 lakh and more would attract scrutiny by the tax sleuths who could impose 30% tax plus a penalty of 200%.The government has cancelled legal tender of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and releasing a new series for Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denominated notes.