Let's compile information/events about scams to be better informed

I am compiling a list of scams/ponzi/pyramid schemes that are running around and hopefully spread awareness about them to prevent people for falling for it. Asking fellow Nagpur redditers to help in creating this list by mentioning other events they had observed themselves. This is what I have collected so far using ChatGPT search for types of scams: * **Petrol Pump Scams:** Distractions while filing up the tank. Worker doesn't reset to 0 or shows filling twice and asks for double. [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1h9fgw2/scammer_petrol_pump_be_aware/) * **Fake Accident Scams**: Fraudsters stage accidents to extort money from unsuspecting individuals. In one instance, a senior citizen was coerced into paying ₹7,000 after being falsely accused of causing an accident and pressured to take the alleged victim to a specific hospital. [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/uwkr0i/any_scams_running_in_nagpur/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **Email Fraud by Impersonating Police**: A cybercrime gang created a fake email ID resembling that of Nagpur police to deceive citizens. They sent emails to banks, instructing them to freeze specific accounts, and then extorted money from account holders to 'unfreeze' them. [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/cyber-crime-gang-busted-for-email-fraud-in-nagpur/articleshow/112508305.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **Investment Scams Promising High Returns**: Several fraudulent schemes have lured investors with promises of high returns. For example, a businessman was duped of ₹7.63 crore after being promised a 35% annual return on investments. [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagpur-businessman-duped-of-rs-7-63-crore-after-35-percent-returns-promise-101736003760815.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **Cryptocurrency Scams**: Authorities have uncovered scams involving fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The Nagpur Police arrested individuals connected to a crypto scam that allegedly defrauded over 2,000 investors of approximately ₹40 crore. [Inc42](https://inc42.com/buzz/nagpur-police-seizes-assets-worth-inr-40-cr-in-crypto-scam-duping-2k-investors/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **Wedding Invitation Scam**: Cybercriminals send malicious links disguised as wedding invitations via WhatsApp. When recipients click on these links, their devices become compromised, potentially leading to data theft or financial loss.[Nagpur Today : Nagpur News](https://www.nagpurtoday.in/nagpurians-beware-of-new-trap-cyber-crooks-devise-wedding-invitation-scam/12091722?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **Digital Arrest Scam**: Scammers impersonate law enforcement officials, claiming the victim is involved in illegal activities. They intimidate victims into transferring money to avoid arrest. This tactic has been reported in various parts of India, including Nagpur. * **Airport Customs Scam**: Passengers arriving at Nagpur airport have reported encounters with individuals posing as customs officials. These impostors, often operating late at night, intimidate travelers by asking intrusive questions and demanding money under the guise of customs duties. [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1g93yia/nagpur_airport_new_scam_alert/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **Land Deal Frauds**: Several incidents have surfaced where individuals were duped in fraudulent land deals. In one case, a couple was arrested for defrauding multiple victims of ₹3.70 crore by promising land sales that never materialized. Such scams often involve fake documents and false promises, leading to significant financial losses for the victims.[Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/couple-arrested-for-rs370-crore-land-fraud-in-nagpur/articleshow/115029110.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com) * **SIM Card Issuance Fraud**: A national scam operating out of Nagpur involved the issuance of new SIM cards by capturing individuals' biometric data under the false pretense of enrolling them in the Ayushman Bharat health scheme. This fraudulent activity compromised personal data and was used for unauthorized SIM card distributions.[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ankushkanishkmishra/p/DAgWE8UyRDj/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Here's a list of companies running ponzi/pyramid/scam schemes: **QNet**: An international multi-level marketing company that has faced multiple allegations and legal actions in India for operating a Ponzi scheme. In Nagpur, several cases have been registered against QNet for defrauding individuals of significant amounts of money. [MaharashtraTimes](https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192916/https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/nagpur-vidarbha-news/nagpur/qnet-cheating-over-crore/articleshow/62729868.cms) **Berlin Lounge, Sadar**: Complaints about girls luring boys into the overly priced lounge and getting them to pay high amounts [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1bhvikd/scam_alert/) & [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/search?q=berlin+pub+nagpur&safe=active&sca_esv=458dc05ad97e3dfc&rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS1074US1074&ei=0ZiEZ7T3F4ea0PEP6NOq2Qc&ved=0ahUKEwj0o8Sm8PGKAxUHDTQIHeipKnsQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=berlin+pub+nagpur&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiEWJlcmxpbiBwdWIgbmFncHVyMgQQABgeMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBEiTG1DJAljtGHAFeACQAQCYAZMCoAGLB6oBBTMuMC4zuAEDyAEA-AEBmAILoAKdB8ICDhAuGIAEGLADGMcBGK8BwgIIEAAYgAQYsAPCAgcQABiwAxgewgIJEAAYsAMYCBgewgIGEAAYBxgewgIQEC4YgAQYQxjHARiKBRivAcICBRAAGIAEwgIHEAAYgAQYDcICBhAAGA0YHsICCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFwgIIECEYoAEYwwTCAgUQABjvBZgDAIgGAZAGCpIHBTguMC4zoAe-Gw&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lrd=0x3bd4c143dcc5b9c9:0x90b87a8cc5998477,1,,,) **Scammy Petrol Pumps:** [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1h9fgw2/scammer_petrol_pump_be_aware/), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1e5clk6/avoid_this_petrol_pump_my_experience_with_a_scam/), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1ev8bxo/petrol_pump_scam/), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1h8448m/indian_oil_petrol_pump_scam_new_manish_nagar/), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nagpur/comments/1gfm6dr/iocl_pump_vnit_scam/) * Indian Oil Near Narendra Nagar Flyover, Suyog Nagar, Pardi Road. (need actual company name) * Khamla square, Nayara Petrol pump. * Indian Oil petrol pump of gangabai ghat road. * Law college square, HP petrol pump * Medical Square, Beside Haldiram * New Manish nagar on the road next to Mahajan atta chakki that goes till chinchbhavan  * IOCL Pump on VNIT road (adulterated fuel) * IOCL Moradabad pump **Shreesurya Investments:** Running multi-level marketing scam. Case registered by ED in May, 2024.