LUCKNOW, Feb. 20 -- The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday arrested a woman director of M/s Pears Allied Corporation Limited-Manju Dubey alias Manju Upadhyay- in connection with an alleged Rs.14 crore investment fraud that targeted depositors by promising to double and triple their money in a short span, EOW officials said in a press note. She had been absconding in a case registered at Alambagh police station under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (forgery-related offences), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. According to EOW officials, the said firm registered with the Registrar of Companies, Delhi and Haryana, allegedly operated without obtaining mandatory registration as a non-banking financial company (NBFC) from the RBI. Despite lacking regulatory approval, the company opened branches in Bijnor and other districts and mobilised public deposits through recurring deposit and fixed deposit schemes. Investigators said the company's chairman and MD Durga Prasad Dubey, along with other directors and employees, lured investors with assurances of high returns In Bijnor alone, investors were allegedly issued bogus bonds and receipts. The funds collected were reportedly misappropriated before the company shut down its offices and its key functionaries went underground. The case was initially investigated at the district level before being transferred to the EOW on government orders.The EOW found 13 accused persons culpable. Efforts were underway to trace and arrest seven remaining accused, including Manju Dubey, who was taken into custody on Thursday....