Engineer-Turned-Clothing Seller Arrested for Defrauding Over 22,000 Women Online

Mumbai: In a shocking case of online fraud, a 32-year-old computer engineer from Gujarat has been arrested for allegedly cheating more than 22,000 women through his apparel website, Mumbai Police said.

The accused, Ashish Ahir, who completed his higher education in London, reportedly turned to crime after his clothing factory faced heavy losses over the past few years. The financial strain worsened during the coronavirus lockdown, leaving him in mounting debt. “Though highly educated, he devised an elaborate plan to create his own website to sell clothes as a way to defraud people,” said Rashmi Karandikar, a senior officer at Mumbai Cyber Cell.

The investigation began after a woman filed a complaint about being cheated on an online purchase. Police traced the fraud back to Ahir’s website, Shopiiee.com, which offered high-end clothing at unusually low prices—a tempting deal for many buyers.

“The website did not offer a cash-on-delivery option. All orders were prepaid, but the merchandise was never shipped. That’s how he managed to cheat people. Since the amounts involved in each transaction were relatively small, most victims did not report the fraud to the police,” explained Ms. Karandikar.

Authorities estimate that Ahir successfully defrauded nearly 22,000 women across the country through this scheme. The case highlights the risks of online shopping and the importance of vigilance while making prepaid purchases.

The Mumbai Police continue to investigate and urge anyone who may have been defrauded by Shopiiee.com to come forward and file a complaint.