Gujarat Police bust alleged Gurugram call centre after woman loses Rs 1.77 crore in weight-loss scam

Surat/Gurugram, June 30 (IANS) The Surat Cyber Crime Police have uncovered an alleged nationwide fraud operated through a Gurugram-based call centre after a woman was allegedly cheated of more than Rs 1.77 crore over five months on the promise of weight-loss treatment.

The investigation led to the arrest of four people, a raid on a call centre employing around 100 to 150 staff, and the identification of a suspected network that investigators believe may have defrauded victims of hundreds of crores of rupees.

The case began after a housewife in Surat clicked a Facebook advertisement for weight-loss medicines.

According to police, she was subsequently contacted through WhatsApp by individuals claiming to represent Curest Science & Wellness Private Limited and its website, “curestscience.in”.

The callers allegedly told her that expert doctors and advisers from the company would assess her health, prepare a personalised profile, and provide medicines and guidance to help her lose weight.

Police said the accused allegedly gained the complainant’s confidence through “convincing presentations and repeated communication”.

From January 26, she was contacted by different people using various WhatsApp numbers who introduced themselves as “Dr M. K. Khanna”, Priya Gupta, Tanvi Sharma, courier boys Jay and Rahul Raj, and another courier representative.

Investigators alleged that the group acted as part of a pre-planned conspiracy, persuading the complainant to continue purchasing medicines while couriers delivered parcels to her residence.

Police said she transferred Rs 15,000 online and paid the remaining amount in cash, losing a total of Rs 1,77,40,500 between January and June this year.

According to the complaint, the accused continued to demand a further Rs 81.50 lakh even after receiving the money.

Police said the complainant was allegedly threatened that if she refused to pay, she would face continued harassment, all the money she had already paid would be forfeited, and her treatment file would be closed.

Based on the complaint, Surat Cyber Crime Police registered an FIR under Sections 316(5), 318(4), 319(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008.

Separate teams were formed, with one conducting technical investigations in Surat and the other travelling to Delhi. Police said they traced the mobile numbers used to contact the complainant and laid a trap in Surat.

A man allegedly posing as a courier boy, “Rahul Raj,” arrived to deliver another parcel and collect Rs 81 lakh in cash. He was arrested on the spot and questioned, after which investigators obtained information that led officers to Gurugram.

Acting with the assistance of local police, the Surat team raided a call centre allegedly operated by Curest Science & Wellness Private Limited in Gurugram.

Police said the premises employed between 100 and 150 people, including telecallers, advisers, individuals posing as doctors and courier personnel.

Investigators allege the operation primarily targeted women across several Indian states by advertising weight-loss products on social media and persuading customers to make repeated payments.

Police also said that Gurugram Cyber Police registered a separate criminal case based on information shared by Surat investigators under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Four people have been arrested so far in the case. The first accused, Mohammad Hussain alias Rahul Raj, 26, was arrested in Surat on June 26.

Police alleged that he collected medicine parcels from Gurugram, travelled from Delhi to Surat by air, delivered parcels to the complainant, collected cash and handed it over to other members of the alleged racket. He is currently on police remand.

Also arrested on June 26 from Gurugram were Hena, 21, and Nisha Kumari, 22.

According to investigators, Hena allegedly posed as “Tanvi Sharma” and repeatedly persuaded the complainant to purchase medicines and keep cash ready, while Nisha Kumari allegedly introduced herself as “Priya Gupta” and played a similar role.

Both remain on police remand. A fourth accused, Om Prakash Rajak, 24, was arrested in Delhi on June 29 and brought to Surat.

Police alleged he also delivered medicine parcels from Delhi to the complainant in Surat, collected cash and passed it to absconding members of the network.

Police said four other suspects remain absconding. They have identified them as company directors Amit Gaurav and Pankaj Sharma, manager Deepak, and Arslan, who allegedly impersonated doctors “Dr M. K. Khanna” and “Dr Akash Malhotra” while speaking to victims.

During searches, investigators seized three mobile phones, two laptops, medicine parcels and other material collectively valued at about Rs 70,000. The financial investigation found transactions amounting to over Rs 8.30 crore in the company’s bank account.

Police said records for the period between March and May indicate that, in addition to bank transfers, the company allegedly collected substantial cash from customers and appeared to generate up to Rs two crore per month.

Based on the available records, investigators estimate the alleged operation may have fraudulently collected between Rs 75 crore and Rs 80 crore over the past four years through the sale of purported weight-loss medicines and consultation services.

Police also identified complaints linked to the company’s mobile numbers on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal from Delhi and Rajasthan involving alleged fake product fraud.

According to investigators, the company was registered in 2021 and began banking and cash operations in 2022.

Police allege it used professionally designed branding, a company website and social media advertisements to promote weight-loss products.

Instead of using commercial courier services, investigators claim the company dispatched its own employees by air or train to deliver parcels and collect large sums of cash directly from customers, while also suspecting that significant cash collections may have been used to evade taxes.

–IANS

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