Sri Vijaya Puram | October 29, 2026
Two circumstances of alleged on-line franchise fraud reported in Sri Vijaya Puram have highlighted how individuals looking for enterprise alternatives could be focused by way of on-line ads, emails and WhatsApp communications. In each circumstances, people allegedly posing as representatives of logistics firms induced potential franchise candidates to make a number of funds, leading to reported losses totalling ₹18.34 lakh.
According to the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station, the 2 complainants reported losses of roughly ₹10,72,335 and ₹7,62,550 respectively. The circumstances have been registered underneath Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
In the primary case, the complainant acknowledged that an commercial on Instagram providing a Shadowfax franchise for a logistics enterprise prompted an enquiry in July 2026. Subsequently, the complainant got here into contact with people claiming to facilitate the franchise course of by way of e-mail and WhatsApp.
The people allegedly demanded funds underneath varied heads, together with registration charges, safety deposits, documentation and different prices. Believing the supply to be real, the complainant made a number of funds between August and September 2026, amounting to ₹10,72,335. The complainant later realised that the people have been allegedly not real representatives of the corporate and lodged a criticism on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
In the second case, the complainant acknowledged that an enquiry for an Ekart Logistics franchise was adopted by an e-mail and WhatsApp communications from people allegedly impersonating representatives of Shadowfax. The complainant was reportedly supplied particulars of various franchise fashions and requested to pay varied prices, together with registration, start-up and processing charges, a safety deposit, insurance coverage and transportation prices.
According to the FIR, a number of funds totalling ₹7,62,550 have been made between September 7 and September 22, 2026. The complainant subsequently suspected fraud and lodged a criticism on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Both FIRs title unknown individuals as accused, and the circumstances have been registered for investigation. The allegations stay topic to investigation.
The two circumstances function a reminder that on-line franchise presents could be misused by fraudsters looking for to use individuals trying to begin a enterprise or safe a further supply of earnings.
People curious about franchise alternatives ought to independently confirm the corporate’s official web site, contact particulars and franchise utility course of earlier than continuing. Email addresses and web sites that resemble these of established firms shouldn’t be assumed to be real. Applicants also needs to confirm cost directions immediately with the corporate by way of contact particulars obtained from its official web site.
Prospective franchise house owners ought to train warning when requested to switch cash to financial institution accounts or UPI IDs supplied by way of casual communications. Registration charges, safety deposits and different prices ought to be verified in opposition to official firm documentation earlier than any cash is transferred.
People who suspect they’ve been focused by on-line monetary fraud ought to promptly report the incident by way of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in or name the nationwide cybercrime helpline 1930. They ought to protect transaction receipts, financial institution statements, e-mail communications, telephone numbers and WhatsApp messages which will help the authorities in investigating the case.
The two complaints underscore the significance of verifying enterprise alternatives earlier than investing cash, particularly when preliminary contact is made by way of social media, e-mail or messaging platforms.
