1 week ago
Mumbai Crime Branch Busts Malad Call Centre Franchise Fraud
Police in Mumbai searched a call centre in Malad that allegedly sold fake or misleading franchise opportunities.
The centre contacted people by phone and WhatsApp.
Callers allegedly said the company worked with several large courier and shopping businesses.
People were asked to pay money for a lifetime franchise.
Some customers told police they paid but never received the promised work or refunds.
Police said more than 10 people may have lost ₹14.55 lakh.
Officers took computers, phones, agreements and financial records to study the case.
The investigation is continuing to find out how many people were affected.
Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 10 detained nine people, including two alleged owners, during a raid at a Malad call centre on August 24.
Police allege the centre offered lifetime courier and e-commerce franchises while falsely claiming tie-ups with several major companies.
More than 10 alleged victims told police they paid deposits but did not receive promised work or refunds.
Police said the alleged scheme involved ₹14.55 lakh in losses and used telephone calls, WhatsApp messages and notarised agreements.
Investigators seized 105 hard disks, 32 laptops, mobile phones, tablets, banking records and customer complaint data.
- Who
- Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 10 detained nine people, including the alleged owners, department heads and managers of Insta Transfer Biz Pvt. Ltd.
- What
- Police raided an alleged fraudulent call centre and registered a case over claims that customers were cheated through franchise offers.
- Where
- At Insta Transfer Biz Pvt. Ltd.’s office in Evershine Mall on Link Road, Malad West, Mumbai.
- When
- The raid was conducted on August 24 at about 3:15 p.m.; the year was not stated.
- Why
- Police allege the accused used misleading claims about courier and e-commerce company tie-ups to obtain franchise investments.
Police and alleged victims
Company allegations under investigation
Franchise promises
Police and alleged victims
Police and complainants allege callers falsely claimed multiple courier and e-commerce tie-ups and promised business returns after deposits were paid.
Company allegations under investigation
The article does not provide a response from the company or its representatives; the allegations remain under investigation.
Refunds and services
Police and alleged victims
Alleged franchise holders said they did not receive promised work, their calls went unanswered and their deposits were not refunded.
Company allegations under investigation
Police are examining company records, agreements and customer complaints to determine the full number of victims and amount collected.
Key facts
- People detained
- Nine people, including two alleged company owners.
- Alleged loss
- More than 10 complainants allegedly lost a total of ₹14.55 lakh.
- Companies allegedly cited
- Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Blue Dart, DTDC and BigBasket.
- Digital equipment seized
- 105 hard disks, 32 laptops, 20 mobile phones, five Samsung tablets, a TP-Link router and a Hikvision CCTV digital video recorder.
- Other evidence
- Police examined franchise agreements, customer lists, payment records, GST and TDS data, emails and complaint records.
- Police station and laws
- A case was registered at Bangur Nagar Police Station under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act.
- Reported discrepancy
- The article describes three heads of departments among those detained, but lists four people under the HOD designation.
Sources
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