M’luru: Rajasthan Duo busted in Amazon order scam; goods worth Rs. 11.45 Lakh seized

Team Udayavani, Nov 2, 2024, 1:52 PM IST

A large-scale fraud targeting e-commerce giant Amazon has been unearthed, resulting in a loss of Rs. 11.45 lakh for the company. The accused, identified as Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27), allegedly used a fake identity to order high-end goods, including Sony cameras, under a fabricated name “Amith.” The items were delivered to an address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru.

Modus Operandi

The fraudsters strategically placed the order on September 21, 2024, at 4 PM, using fake contact details. When the delivery arrived, Raj Kumar Meena collected the goods while Subhash Gurjar distracted the delivery staff. To execute the scam, they swapped the original stickers on the camera boxes with other low-value items. They later provided an incorrect OTP, causing confusion in the delivery confirmation. The next day, they canceled the camera order, raising suspicions among Amazon’s logistics partner, Mahindra Logistics. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the cameras had been taken, and tampered boxes were left behind.

Arrest and Investigation

The Urwa Police Station swiftly registered a case and launched an investigation. Raj Kumar Meena, who was initially detained by Salem Police in Tamil Nadu for a similar crime, was transferred to Urwa Police custody on October 18, 2024, where he was interrogated extensively. His associate, Subhash, was apprehended on October 28, 2024, in Mangaluru, following leads gathered during Meena’s questioning.

Extensive Fraud History

The investigation revealed that Meena and Gurjar had conducted similar frauds across India, targeting Amazon orders in multiple states, including Assam, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Telangana. The duo’s actions have accumulated millions in stolen assets, with additional cases filed in Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Aurangabad, and other cities.

Police officials confirmed that both accused had attempted to leave the city following the fraud but were tracked using CCTV footage. The stolen items, valued at Rs. 11.45 lakh, were seized and presented in court.