Pune: A case of online fraud has come to light in Pune, where a man was duped out of ₹11.35 lakh after being promised a sports equipment franchise along with a guaranteed customer base. The fraudsters gained the victim’s trust by providing official-looking documents and gradually extracted the money under the pretense of business investment.
The victim, Jainam Rajesh Shah (28), a resident of Shukrawar Peth, lodged a complaint at Khadak Police Station regarding the fraud, which took place between September 30 and November 5, 2024. The case highlights an emerging cyber scam targeting aspiring entrepreneurs.
How the Fraud Took Place
Instagram Advertisement – The victim came across an Instagram advertisement from "Gamoli Technology Pvt. Ltd.," which claimed to provide a sports equipment franchise. The advertisement promised a steady monthly income of ₹30,000 and assured customer support.
Initial Payment of ₹2 Lakh – After contacting the franchise manager, Jai Mashru, the victim received official documents via courier. To secure the franchise, he was instructed to deposit ₹2 lakh into a provided bank account, which he did.
False Customer Allocation & Equipment Agreement – After making the first payment, the complainant was told that 28 customers had been assigned to him. Later, the company’s alleged owner, Pranav Talathi, detailed the pricing of the sports equipment. An agreement was sent, stating that the complainant needed to pay an additional ₹9,35,250 to receive the stock.
Full Payment & Sudden Disappearance – Believing the deal to be legitimate, the victim transferred the additional amount via RTGS. However, after this transaction, all communication with Jai Mashru and Pranav Talathi ceased.
Realizing that he had been defrauded, the complainant approached the police. The investigation is currently being led by Inspector (Crime) Manojkumar Londhe.