Gaya Man Arrested in ₹1.34 Lakh Online Franchise Scam in Bhojpur

Ara (Bhojpur), August 7, 2025 — The Bhojpur cyber police have arrested Kundan Kumar, a resident of Belaganj village in Gaya district, for allegedly defrauding a local businessman of ₹1.34 lakh by luring him into a bogus franchise arrangement. The accused was apprehended in Patna following a lodged complaint and subsequent technical investigation.

What took place
The victim, Lal Bhushan Singh of Isadhi village, responded to an online advertisement offering franchise opportunities of a reputed private firm. He was first asked to pay ₹15,000 as an entry fee and ₹2,700 as GST, followed by ₹68,000 cited as approval charges and ₹47,800 for a no-objection certificate. Upon realizing the deception, Singh filed a complaint on August 4 with the Ara cyber police.

Arrest and Investigation
Operating under the direction of DSP Sneh Setu, the cyber police quickly launched a technical and scientific investigation. Based on leads, they traced and arrested Kumar in Patna. During arrest, police recovered a cellphone and a bank passbook from him. Kumar subsequently confessed to orchestrating the fraud.

Why it holds significance

Cybercriminals are recklessly using the allure of franchise ventures to trap prospective investors, demanding staged payments under the guise of official procedures before vanishing. Such scams increase the need for heightened digital vigilance and verification of offers before monetary transfers.

Prospects
As police look for more leads in this case, the accused is still being held. Before interacting with or making any payments, officials advise the public to avoid unsolicited franchise pitches and to confirm publishers and credentials through reliable sources.