In a meticulously orchestrated scam spanning multiple states, two men from Rajasthan have been arrested in Mangaluru for allegedly defrauding Amazon of over Rs 1.29 crore. The accused, Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27), used ingenious methods to exploit online shopping platforms, targeting high-value items and successfully executing their plan in states across India. Their arrest has brought to light an alarming trend in delivery-based scams, raising questions about the vulnerabilities in e-commerce transactions.
Credits: Money Control
The Scam That Unraveled Across Eight States
This high-profile scam wasn’t confined to Mangaluru; Meena and Gurjar had been allegedly operating across several Indian states, including Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. With cases filed in each of these regions, their involvement in fraudulent activities is vast, and the impact on both e-commerce platforms and delivery personnel is significant. The duo allegedly targeted high-end gadgets, exploiting delivery loopholes to repeatedly deceive Amazon and its logistics partner, Mahindra Logistics.
Their Modus Operandi: How They Pulled It Off
The scam was sophisticated yet simple enough to evade detection for a long time. According to police reports, Meena and Gurjar would use fake identities to order high-value electronics—cameras, laptops, and smartphones. Each order included both expensive items and a few low-cost products to serve as decoys.
On the delivery day, the men would employ a distraction technique: while one engaged the delivery agent, the other would secretly swap the stickers on the packages, placing low-cost item stickers on high-value items. They would then attempt to “complete” the delivery process by providing incorrect OTPs (One-Time Passwords), which are often required to confirm delivery of high-value items. After confusing the delivery personnel with the wrong OTPs and sticker-switching, they would cancel the order for the high-value items. By then, however, they would already have possession of the original items, ready to be sold on the black market.
Credits: The New Indian Express
Amazon’s Logistics Partner Discovers the Fraud
Amazon’s logistics partner, Mahindra Logistics, noticed suspicious activity after handling a series of similar incidents. Upon closer inspection, Mahindra Logistics discovered that several high-value items were not reaching their intended customers, and the products’ packaging appeared altered. They found evidence that the stickers on boxes were being swapped to deceive the delivery process. Mahindra Logistics immediately flagged the issue to Amazon, prompting an investigation that would lead to the exposure of the scam.
The Police Step In: A Sting Operation Unfolds
The final straw came on September 21 when the men placed an order for two Sony cameras and ten other low-cost items under the fake name “Amrith.” The delivery was scheduled to an address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru. Just as they had in previous cases, Meena and Gurjar distracted the delivery agent, swapped the stickers on the packages, and shared incorrect OTPs for the high-end cameras before sending the agent away. They then canceled the order for the cameras.
By this point, Amazon had already coordinated with Mahindra Logistics to investigate further. The fraudulent sticker-switching came to light, and Amazon, along with Mahindra Logistics, promptly reported the activity to Mangaluru police, who launched an operation to catch the culprits. The authorities detained the duo in Mangaluru, recovering Rs 11.45 lakh in cash, believed to be the proceeds from selling the Sony cameras.
The Growing Threat of Delivery-Based Scams
This case has highlighted vulnerabilities in e-commerce delivery systems, particularly those involving high-value items. The standard OTP verification process, designed to secure deliveries, can be manipulated through simple tactics such as sticker-switching and identity forgery. Meena and Gurjar’s scam raises concerns about the security and verification mechanisms in place for high-value items, prompting many to wonder if additional safeguards are needed to protect e-commerce platforms, logistics companies, and customers from similar scams in the future.
