The Mumbai Crime Branch has dismantled a fraudulent call centre in Malad that cheated citizens by offering fake lifetime delivery franchises under the guise of major e-commerce brands.

  • Mumbai Crime Branch raided 'Insta Transfer Biz Pvt. Ltd.' at Evershine Mall, Malad West.
  • Nine individuals, including the owner and manager, have been arrested.
  • The gang impersonated brands like Amazon, Flipkart, Blue Dart, and DTDC.
  • Seized assets including laptops, hard disks, and fake agreements are valued at ₹25 lakh.

In a major crackdown on cyber-enabled financial fraud, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested nine members of a sophisticated call centre operation based in Malad West. The group allegedly orchestrated a massive scam by offering fraudulent 'lifetime delivery franchises' to unsuspecting victims, claiming affiliations with global e-commerce giants.

According to official reports, the perpetrators operated under the name 'Insta Transfer Biz Pvt. Ltd.' located within the Evershine Mall. They targeted residents of Mumbai and several other states, using telecallers to pitch lucrative investment opportunities. The scammers falsely claimed to have official tie-ups with industry leaders such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Blue Dart, DTDC, and BigBasket.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the evolution of 'identity-based scams' poses a significant threat to the growing gig economy and franchise models. By leveraging the immense brand equity of companies like Amazon and Flipkart, fraudsters bypass the natural skepticism of potential investors, making these crimes increasingly difficult to detect early.

The use of legitimate-looking office spaces in premium malls is a growing tactic to lend a veneer of credibility to fraudulent operations.

The raid, conducted on August 24, 2026, resulted in the seizure of extensive digital evidence. Authorities recovered 105 computer hard disks, 32 laptops, 30 mobile phones, five tablets, and over 100 forged franchise agreements. The total value of the seized property is estimated at approximately ₹25 lakh.

Legal proceedings have commenced at the Bangur Nagar police station. The accused face charges under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. A local court has remanded the suspects to police custody.

Historical Background

The rise of e-commerce in India has inadvertently created a blueprint for scammers. 'Franchise scams' have become a recurring theme in urban centers, where criminals exploit the desire for entrepreneurship by mimicking the business models of successful logistics and delivery startups.

Did You Know?: Scammers often use 'lifetime' or 'guaranteed return' keywords to create a false sense of security and urgency in their victims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Which companies were being impersonated?
Answer: The fraudsters used the names of Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Blue Dart, DTDC, and BigBasket to deceive victims.

Question 2: How many people have been identified as victims so far?
Answer: Police have identified 20 victims, but more complaints are expected as the investigation continues.