How Did the Ahmedabad Crime Branch Foil a Major E-commerce Scam?
Synopsis
In a groundbreaking operation, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has successfully dismantled an interstate gang involved in a sophisticated e-commerce scam, leading to five arrests and the confiscation of goods worth Rs 20.5 lakh. This incident raises critical questions about online shopping security.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests five gang members.
Gang defrauded major e-commerce platforms .
Goods worth Rs 20.5 lakh seized.
Investigation ongoing for additional culprits.
Authorities urge online shopping vigilance.
Ahmedabad, Feb 8 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch apprehended five individuals linked to a sophisticated interstate syndicate engaged in defrauding significant e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon, confiscating goods and equipment valued at Rs 20.5 lakh.
The suspects have been identified as Ramlal alias Romil Gehlot (27), Manoj Kumar Mali (30), Bharat Kumar Sundesha (25), and Vishal Panchal (29), all hailing from Jalore, Rajasthan, along with Vishal Bavri from Surat.
Two additional suspects, Rishipal Bhati and Vinod, are still evading capture.
This gang has operated across cities including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Jalore. They infiltrated the logistics chain, substituting authentic electronic devices with counterfeit products.
By employing numerous fake user IDs and passwords, the gang placed orders for high-end gadgets, intercepting them through their delivery personnel before they reached the end customers.
Specialized tools were utilized to meticulously extract genuine products, replacing them with indistinguishable dummy items.
Subsequently, orders were officially marked as ‘cancelled’ or ‘returned’, allowing the gang to sell the authentic goods in the black market for illicit profits.
An official stated to IANS, “We are currently probing further avenues. These five were apprehended during the initial investigation. We will analyze and uncover the root of the case.”
The police have seized eight genuine mobile phones, 25 dummy phones, three fake earbuds, 12 imitation gaming processors, a camera lens, an electric hair dryer, three glue remover bottles, 14 plastic syringes, two steel tools used for parcel tampering, packaging materials, and a Mahindra Scorpio vehicle utilized for transporting the merchandise.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to previous frauds, including the theft of an iPhone 17 Pro Max and three iPhone 16 Pro devices in Vadodara in January this year, seven mobile phones and ten Apple Watches in Surat in October 2025, and two Apple Watches in Jalore in December 2025.
A case has been filed at the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) Police Station in the city and is being investigated under Sections 61(2)(a) and 316(5) of the Indian Penal Code.
Authorities have urged customers to stay vigilant while shopping online and warned that strict legal action will be pursued against anyone involved in such fraudulent schemes.
Point of View
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by e-commerce platforms in ensuring the safety of their logistics and customer transactions. With increasing online shopping, it is crucial for consumers to remain vigilant and for authorities to take stringent actions against such fraudulent activities.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the e-commerce scam about?
The scam involved an interstate gang that infiltrated logistics chains of major e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon to replace genuine products with counterfeit items.
How many people were arrested?
Five members of the gang were arrested, while two others remain at large.
What were the total goods seized?
Goods and equipment worth Rs 20.5 lakh were seized during the operation.
What actions are being taken against the suspects?
The suspects are being investigated under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, and authorities are urging customers to be vigilant.
How can consumers protect themselves while shopping online?
Consumers should verify seller authenticity, use secure payment methods, and remain skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
