Indore Police have launched a formal investigation into a suspected cyber fraud racket that allegedly targets city residents by impersonating employees of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's charitable foundation, luring victims with promises of loans and financial assistance. The Crime Branch and Cyber Cell have received approximately six complaints so far, officials confirmed on Monday, 31 August.

How the Fraud Operates

According to police, the fraudsters contact potential victims posing as foundation staff and offer a range of financial products — including business loans, education loans, startup funding, and assistance for studies abroad. Once contact is established, victims are sent a registration link on their mobile phones.

The accused then allegedly demand money under various pretexts such as GST charges, processing fees, and registration costs. Victims are reportedly asked to pay amounts ranging between ₹50,000 and ₹60,000, according to police.

What Investigators Said

Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya confirmed the details of the investigation. 'Around six complaints have been received so far in Indore in which people were contacted in the name of Vijay Thalapathy's foundation and asked to pay money. The Crime Branch is verifying these complaints and also trying to find out whether there are more such victims,' he said.

Dandotiya added that the probe is focused on tracing the digital and financial trail left by the accused. 'The callers pose as foundation employees and promise financial assistance, but later demand money as processing or other fees. We are working to identify the accused and establish how this network is operating,' he said.

Cross-State Coordination Underway

Indore Police have shared information about the suspected fraudsters and their network with counterparts in Tamil Nadu. Police teams in both states are reportedly coordinating as part of the ongoing investigation, officials said. The extent of the racket and the total number of victims is still being ascertained.

Public Advisory

Police have urged residents not to trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from Chief Minister Vijay or his foundation. Authorities have specifically advised against clicking on unknown links or sharing bank account details, passwords, or one-time passwords with callers.

Anyone who has received such a call or transferred money in a similar case has been asked to immediately report the matter to cybercrime authorities and their bank. As investigations continue across two states, authorities have indicated that the full scope of the racket may be wider than what current complaints suggest.