Surat Cyber Crime Police have dismantled an alleged nationwide fraud ring operating through a Gurugram-based call centre, after a housewife from Surat was allegedly cheated of ₹1,77,40,500 over five months on the false promise of weight-loss treatment. The operation, linked to a firm called Curest Science & Wellness Private Limited, reportedly targeted women across multiple Indian states through social media advertisements.

How the Scam Unfolded

The case began when the Surat woman clicked a Facebook advertisement for weight-loss medicines. She was subsequently contacted via 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 would assess her health, prepare a personalised profile, and supply medicines to help her lose weight.

From 26 January, she was contacted by multiple people using different WhatsApp numbers, who introduced themselves as 'Dr M. K. Khanna', Priya Gupta, Tanvi Sharma, and courier representatives named Jay and Rahul Raj. According to investigators, the group acted as part of a pre-planned conspiracy, persuading the complainant to keep purchasing medicines while couriers delivered parcels to her residence and collected large sums of cash.

She transferred ₹15,000 online and paid the rest in cash, losing a total of ₹1,77,40,500 between January and June 2025. The accused allegedly continued to demand a further ₹81.50 lakh even after receiving the money, and reportedly threatened that refusing to pay would result in harassment, forfeiture of all amounts already paid, and closure of her treatment file.

FIR and Police Action

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 — one conducting technical surveillance in Surat and another travelling to Delhi.

Investigators traced the mobile numbers used to contact the complainant and laid a trap in Surat. A man allegedly posing as courier boy 'Rahul Raj' arrived to deliver a parcel and collect ₹81 lakh in cash. He was arrested on the spot, and his questioning led officers to Gurugram, where they raided the call centre with assistance from local police.

The Call Centre Operation

Police said the Gurugram premises employed between 100 and 150 people, including telecallers, individuals posing as doctors and advisers, and courier personnel. Investigators allege the operation primarily targeted women across several Indian states by advertising weight-loss products on social media and pressuring customers into repeated payments.

Notably, instead of using commercial courier services, the company allegedly dispatched its own employees by air or train to deliver parcels and collect large sums of cash directly from customers — a method investigators suspect was also used to evade taxes. Gurugram Cyber Police separately registered a criminal case based on information shared by the Surat team.

Arrests and Accused

Four people have been arrested so far. Mohammad Hussain alias Rahul Raj, 26, was arrested in Surat on 26 June. Police allege he collected medicine parcels from Gurugram, travelled from Delhi to Surat by air, delivered parcels to the complainant, and handed collected cash to other members of the network. He is currently on police remand.

Also arrested on 26 June from Gurugram were Hena, 21, who allegedly posed as 'Tanvi Sharma', and Nisha Kumari, 22, who allegedly introduced herself as 'Priya Gupta' — both repeatedly persuading the complainant to purchase medicines and keep cash ready. A fourth accused, Om Prakash Rajak, 24, was arrested in Delhi on 29 June and brought to Surat; he allegedly delivered parcels and collected cash on behalf of the network.

Four suspects remain absconding, identified 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.

Scale of the Alleged Fraud

During searches, investigators seized three mobile phones, two laptops, medicine parcels, and other material collectively valued at around ₹70,000. Financial scrutiny revealed transactions of over ₹8.30 crore in the company's bank account. Records for the period between March and May indicate the company allegedly collected substantial cash from customers and appeared to generate up to ₹2 crore per month.

Based on available records, investigators estimate the alleged operation may have fraudulently collected between ₹75 crore and ₹80 crore over the past four years. The company was reportedly registered in 2021 and began banking and cash operations in 2022. Police also identified complaints linked to the company's numbers on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal from Delhi and Rajasthan involving alleged fake product fraud.

With four suspects still at large and the financial trail widening, investigators are expected to pursue further arrests and probe the full extent of the network's reach across India.