Page 3 - Scams

Activist alleges Rs 88 cr 'scam' in agriculture dept under Dhananjay Munde

Activist Anjali Damania on Tuesday alleged a Rs 88 crore 'scam' in the agriculture department when NCP leader Dhananjay Munde held the portfolio in the previous Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra. Despite the Union government's 2016 directive to transfer money directly to farmers' bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the agriculture department purchased equipment and fertilisers for distribution to farmers at inflated rates, she claimed. Reaction from Munde's office to the allegations was awaited. The NCP leader, now minister for Food and Civil Supplies, is already under fire over the arrest of his aide Walmik Karad in an extortion case related to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat told reporters that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will "certainly take notice" of the allegations and order an inquiry. Speaking at a press conference here, Damania presented documents related to the alleged scam. "These

Over 33% respondents lose money to scams via real-time payments: Report

More than one-third of people surveyed have reported losing money to scams through real-time payments, according to a report. Highlighting the growing threat of scams in India's real-time payments (RTP) ecosystem, 34 per cent of respondents reported paying for goods, services or investments that were never delivered, according to the report by global analytics software company FICO. The report stated that 60 per cent of respondents reported exposure to messages from scammers, and 54 per cent said friends or family members had been scammed. While fewer Indian consumers reported losses in 2024 compared to 2023, the percentage of high-value losses those exceeding Rs 800,000 doubled from 2 per cent to 4 per cent, said Dattu Kompella, managing director in Asia for FICO. While 56 per cent of losses were relatively small, under Rs 50,000, these amounts can still be devastating for many households, the report said. Around 45 per cent of Indian consumers identified improved fraud detecti

Capital Group duped: Here's how $2.6 trillion fund was taken for a ride

The alleged organier is Ketan Parekh, a former stockbroker the regulator has chased out of the market once before

Scams at airports: Key threats and how to stay safe while travelling

These incidents have raised red flags about the growing sophistication of scams, particularly in places like airports where people often have a heightened sense of security

'I was crying, begging': Influencer Ankush Bahuguna on 40-hr digital arrest

The scammers forced Bahuguna to switch off all electronic devices, forbade him from communicating with anyone, and coerced him into making multiple financial transactions

Scams @2024: Major political controversies that made headlines this year

From Delhi's liquor policy fallout to NEET exam leaks, 2024 was a year of explosive scandals. Read on to know more about the controversies that defined this year

PAN 2.0 targeted for fraud: How to protect yourself from misinformation

If you need to apply for a reprint of your PAN card, you can it through the websites of Protean or UTIITSL

NPCI cautions users against digital frauds, highlights 'common tricks'

The apex payments body has cautioned citizens to identify such scams based on themes such as unexpected calls from alleged government officials

HPZ token investment 'scam': ED attaches assets valued Rs 106.20 crore

The scam involving shell entities with Chinese links, duped investors of hundreds of crores on the pretext of doubling their investments through an app and online gaming and betting websites

PM Modi's warning against 'digital arrest': How you can protect yourself

In light of recent incidents, including this fake raid in Delhi, India's cyber-security agency, CERT-In, has issued a warning about increasing online scams

Gift card scam hits Bengaluru engineer, ends ups losing Rs 4.5 lakh

The scam began with a message sent to the engineer ahead of Diwali, apparently from his boss, asking him to complete a quick assignment

Indians lose over Rs 120 cr in digital arrest frauds; PM Modi cautions risk

The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) recorded 0.74 million digital arrest fraud complaints between January 1 and April 30 this year, following 1.5 million complaints logged in 2023

Centre launches system to block international spoofed calls, curb fraud

The Indian government has launched a new system to block international calls disguised as local numbers, aiming to protect citizens from financial scams and cybercrime

Rs 15 cr from 'Valmiki scam' used to influence voters in 2024 elections: ED

Additional funds were deposited into personal accounts linked to Nagendra's associates, including Punith Kumar and Kali Harish, for personal expenses such as flight bookings, vehicle maintenance

Centre issues notification for CBI probe into Assam online trading scam

The Centre has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe 41 cases linked to a multi-crore online trading scam in Assam. A notification in this connection was issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on Friday and shared by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on 'X' on Saturday. It states, "the powers and jurisdiction of the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment has been extended throughout the state of Assam for the investigation of offences under relevant sections of IPC/BNS and other Acts as mentioned in the FIRs and any other law related to the 41 police cases, which are registered at various police stations in Assam concerning unregulated deposits involving fraudulent transactions and trading of large sums of money'. The CMO also noted that the state government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has assured full cooperation to the CBI for a swift probe into these cases. The scam came to light in the last week of August

Ministerial panel to expedite probe into BJP-era scams to meet this week

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the committee of Ministers -- formed to review and coordinate regarding the action to be taken in connection with probe by government and investigating agencies into various scams that have taken place during the previous BJP government -- is likely to meet this week. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday constituted the five member panel headed by Parameshwara, and asked it to complete the task in two months. The move is said to be aimed at turning the tables on the BJP, which has been targeting the ruling Congress over scams. "Every case that is pending at various stages... some of them that have been decided and some yet to be decided...to review all of them and to submit a report a Cabinet subcommittee has been formed. Probably this week itself I will call a meeting of the committee," Parameshwara said. Speaking to reporters here, he said such cases have been identified and their status report will be submitted to the ..

Whale phishing scam explained: How it works and tips to protect yourself

A whale phishing scam, also known as whaling, is a sophisticated type of phishing attack that targets high-profile individuals within an organisation, such as executives, CEOs, or other senior leaders

RBI warns against rising fraud in its name: Know how to remain protected

Cheats using fake RBI letterheads and email addresses, posing as central bank employees to deceive people with false promises of lottery winnings, fund transfers and government schemes

MUDA scam: Guv's possible nod for prosecution against CM, says Parameshwara

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday expressed hope that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will not reject the Cabinet's advice to withdraw his "show-cause notice" to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam'. He said, in case, the Governor rejects the Cabinet's advice and grants permission for prosecution against the CM, the Congress government will fight it legally. "As a Cabinet we have advised the Governor to withdraw his show-cause notice and to reject the petition seeking Siddaramaiah's prosecution by activist T J Abraham. I'm hopeful and don't feel that the Governor will do it (sanction prosecution), despite the Cabinet's advice along with facts," Parameshwara said. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "He (the Governor) might have some powers, but I don't feel that he will reject the advice of the Cabinet so easily. In case he still goes ahead and gives permission for prosecution, we will fight .

Youth's future reduced to mere 'revenue-raising' exercise by govt: Congress

The Congress on Sunday claimed that the National Testing Agency had netted a profit of Rs 448 crore in the last six years, alleging that the future of millions of youths was reduced to mere "revenue-raising exercise" by the Narendra Modi government. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared on X Minister of State in the Education Ministry Sukanta Majumdar's reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 31 to a question on the NTA. "The National Testing Agency (NTA) is at the very heart of the NEET scandal. It is a body of the Education Ministry whose only purpose is to function via outsourcing to private vendors," Ramesh said on X. "Not only do these vendors very often have dubious credentials but the NTA itself is headed by a person who presided over the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission, which has seen mega-scams," Ramesh said. In an answer to the Rajya Sabha, the Union MoS for Education revealed that the NTA collected an estimated Rs 3,512.98 crore, whil