1 week ago
Telangana Police Arrest Bihar Gang in Fertiliser Franchise Scam
Police in Telangana arrested five people accused of running online scams.
The group allegedly promised people fertiliser company franchises that did not really exist.
They also allegedly offered fake online loans.
Victims were asked to send personal documents and pay several different fees.
One person from Adilabad reportedly lost ₹3.85 lakh.
Police connected the group to 498 complaints across India.
Officers seized phones and cash and froze some suspected scam money.
The investigation is still continuing.
Telangana police arrested five people from Bihar for allegedly running a cybercrime scam involving fake fertiliser franchises and online loans.
Police linked the gang to 498 complaints nationwide involving suspected fraudulent transactions worth about ₹3.5 crore.
The investigation began after an Adilabad resident allegedly lost ₹3.85 lakh through repeated franchise-related payments.
The accused allegedly collected Aadhaar, PAN, photographs and bank details before demanding registration, licence and other fees.
Police seized 10 mobile phones and ₹70,000, froze about ₹8 lakh in suspected proceeds, and sent the accused to judicial remand.
- Who
- Telangana police arrested five alleged cybercriminals from Bihar; police said they targeted victims across India.
- What
- The suspects allegedly ran fake fertiliser franchise and online loan schemes, causing suspected fraudulent transactions of about ₹3.5 crore.
- Where
- The investigation was conducted by Telangana police, while the alleged network operated from Bihar and targeted victims nationwide.
- When
- The report does not specify when the arrests took place.
- Why
- The suspects allegedly sought money and personal information by demanding multiple fees from people responding to fake franchise and loan offers.
Police allegations and warnings
Accused position and legal status
Nature of the schemes
Police allegations and warnings
Police allege that the suspects used fake websites and advertisements to offer fraudulent fertiliser franchises and online loans.
Accused position and legal status
The report does not provide statements from the accused or their lawyers contesting the allegations.
Handling of the case
Police allegations and warnings
Police say the suspects were linked to 498 complaints, and investigators froze suspected proceeds while continuing their inquiry.
Accused position and legal status
The accused were produced before a court and sent to judicial remand; guilt has not been established in court.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Five people from Bihar were arrested.
- Suspected complaints
- 498 cybercrime complaints were linked to the gang nationwide.
- Suspected transaction value
- Approximately ₹3.5 crore.
- Telangana complaints
- About 90 complaints were reported from Telangana.
- Reported victim loss
- Akunuru Ganesh allegedly lost ₹3.85 lakh.
- Seized items
- Ten mobile phones and ₹70,000 in cash.
- Frozen funds
- About ₹8 lakh in suspected proceeds were traced and frozen.
Quotes
Akhila Mahajan
Telangana police superintendent who described the alleged fraud method
“After collecting Aadhaar, PAN, photographs and bank details from applicants, the accused allegedly demanded money under various pretexts, including registration, licence, service and franchise-transfer charges.”
NDTV
“Do not share Aadhaar, PAN, bank details or OTPs with unknown persons or unverified websites. People should immediately report suspected cyber fraud through the official cybercrime reporting channels.”
NDTV
Sources
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