Pune Businessman Duped of ₹10 Lakh in Fake ‘Zudio Franchise’ Scam
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Cybercriminals used fraudulent websites and emails to collect hefty fees under false pretenses.
A businessman from Pune fell victim to cybercriminals posing as representatives of Zudio, losing ₹10 lakh after being lured by a fake franchise opportunity, police reported on Tuesday.
The 65-year-old businessman, who runs a paint dealership, came across an online advertisement earlier this month offering a Zudio franchise. Interested in expanding his business ventures, he clicked on the provided link and filled out an application form that required personal, professional, and financial details.
Shortly after submitting the form, the man received a call from an individual claiming to be a Zudio representative. The caller informed him that his application had been approved and that senior corporate officials would soon contact him. A few hours later, another person, pretending to be a senior executive, contacted the businessman and requested additional information, including income tax documents, bank details, and company records.
Believing the offer to be genuine, the businessman made two separate payments, ₹49,000 initially and later ₹10 lakh allegedly for “registration” and “agreement fees.” He was promised that formal agreement papers would soon be sent to him for signing.
The scam began to unravel when yet another caller demanded ₹25 lakh to stock apparel for the proposed franchise. This demand raised suspicions, prompting the businessman to realize he had been conned.
He reported the matter to the Cybercrime Police Station, leading to the registration of a case at the Khadak Police Station. Authorities are now investigating the scam and the fraudulent individuals involved.
