Man arrested for online fraud, Rs 19 lakh seized

Hyderabad: The Central Crime Station's Marketing Intelligence Team arrested a DJ operator from New Delhi for posting bogus advertisements on Quikr.com by using a fake website www.store1800.com and advertising to sell electronic goods cheap.

He collected money from ignorant customers and avoided further contact. The accused and his associates cheated several customers from Telangana, AP and other states in India.

The accused Nikhil Arora, 26, is a resident of Ashok Vihar in New Delhi. He was arrested from Goa. The absconding accused are Naman Arora, 28, engaged in textile business, Nikhil’s brother and resident of Ashok Vihar, Vikas Thomar and Nidhi Kumari.

Additional commissioner of police (crimes) Swati Lakra said the accused posted an advertisement on Quikr.com containing details of bogus websites like www.store1800.com, www.primeelectronics1800.zohysitas.com and www.store-1800.zohysitas.com with mobile numbers and mail IDs offering electronic goods at cheap prices.

“When customers called them after seeing their advertisement, they explained about the product and convinced them that it was an original product sold at a low price. When the customers get convinced they furnished a bank account and asked them to deposit the amount in advance. Once the amount was deposited, they avoided contact,” said Ms Lakra.

The fraudster put the customer’s number in the block list and avoided attending calls. Police said about Rs 19 lakh in cash, ATM cards and other material were seized.