New gang in Mangaluru: “Order Gang” targets local merchants

PTI, Jul 27, 2024, 12:39 PM IST

A new type of scam is emerging in the district, leaving merchants wary and cautious. The “Order Gang,” distinct from the infamous “Chaddi Gang” known for home burglaries, has been tricking shop owners with large fake orders and disappearing with cash.

Unlike the “Chaddi Gang,” which breaks into homes, the “Order Gang” targets merchants directly. The gang, typically consisting of four to five members, arrives in a car during the daytime. They scout the area, plan their heist, and execute it by placing substantial orders at local shops.

 How the Scam Works
One gang member visits a shop and places a large order, promising to pay a significant amount through Google Pay or PhonePe. They then request a small amount of cash, citing a lack of hard cash on hand, and promise to pay the total amount, including the borrowed cash, via digital payment. After pretending to make the digital payment, they take the ordered goods and flee, leaving the merchant unpaid.

Several incidents have highlighted this scam:

– In Moodbidri, a gang member ordered 20 biryanis and tricked the merchant into giving him ₹500, claiming network issues prevented the digital payment. The scammer left, never to return.
– In Kavoor, a merchant was duped with a large vegetable order. The scammer pretended to make a Google Pay transfer, packed the goods, and disappeared with ₹1,000 cash.
– In Kinnigoli, a scammer ordered 25 kg of chicken and managed to get ₹1,000 from the shop owner before attempting to flee. However, the suspicious merchant caught and punished the scammer.

Although no formal complaints have been filed due to the relatively small amounts involved, local merchants are urging the police to monitor this scam. Surveillance footage from CCTV cameras may help identify and apprehend the gang members. Without intervention, this scam could become more prevalent.

A recent incident in Sullia involved a customer defrauding a fruit seller. The customer purchased 2 kg of avacados, claiming he had no cash and would pay ₹1,200 via Google Pay, including an additional ₹1,000 requested from the merchant. The customer took the fruits, but the payment never arrived in the merchant’s account, revealing the scam.

Local authorities and merchants are now on high alert, working together to prevent further incidents and bring the “Order Gang” to justice.