Bhubaneswar Cyber Police Probe Alleged Scam in Which Fraudsters Posed as Representatives of Tata Group Companies
The Cyber Crime Police, Bhubaneswar, have arrested a 50-year-old man from Bihar in connection with an alleged cyber fraud in which a city resident was cheated of ₹15.19 lakh through fake distributorship and franchise offers purportedly associated with Tata Group companies.
According to investigators, the accused and his associates allegedly impersonated representatives of Tata Power Solar Systems Limited and Tata 1mg Health Care Solutions Private Limited, persuading the victim to transfer money in multiple instalments for promised dealership and franchise approvals that were never provided.
The allegations remain under investigation and have not been adjudicated by a court.
Bihar Resident Arrested in Cyber Fraud Case
Police identified the accused as Dadhibal Kumar Singh, a resident of Saran district, Bihar.
He was arrested in connection with Cyber Crime Police Station Case No. 43, registered on March 26, 2026, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Following his arrest, he was produced before the competent court. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the suspected fraud network.
Victim Allegedly Contacted Through Email and WhatsApp
According to the complaint, Bijan Kumar Mahapatra was approached by individuals claiming to be authorised representatives of Tata Power Solar Systems Limited and Tata 1mg.
Police allege that the fraudsters initially contacted him through email before continuing discussions over WhatsApp, presenting what appeared to be genuine franchise and distributorship proposals using the names of well-known corporate brands.
Investigators are examining the authenticity of the communications and the digital identities used during the alleged fraud.
Multiple Payments Allegedly Collected
According to investigators, the accused allegedly convinced the complainant to make payments under several heads, including:
- Registration charges
- Agreement processing fees
- Inventory purchases
- Additional stock requirements
- Tax-related payments, including TDS
Police believe these staged payment requests were designed to create the appearance of a legitimate franchise approval process and encourage continued payments.
Victim Allegedly Transferred ₹15.19 Lakh
Believing the offers to be genuine, the complainant reportedly transferred funds through NEFT from his wife's bank account to multiple beneficiary accounts provided by the alleged fraudsters.
According to police:
- ₹10.97 lakh was transferred for a purported Tata Power Solar distributorship.
- ₹4.21 lakh was transferred for an alleged Tata 1mg franchise.
The total amount transferred was approximately ₹15,19,200.
Investigators allege that despite repeated assurances, neither the distributorship nor the franchise was ever granted.
Money Trail Traced to Bihar
When the promised approvals failed to materialise and communication became suspicious, the complainant approached the Cyber Crime Police.
According to investigators, analysis of:
- Banking transactions
- Email records
- WhatsApp communications
- Financial transfers
helped trace the alleged money trail to Bihar, leading to the arrest of the accused.
Police are continuing to examine whether additional bank accounts, digital identities or accomplices were used to facilitate the alleged fraud.
Authorities Suspect Additional Victims
Investigators are also exploring whether similar fraudulent franchise offers were made to other aspiring entrepreneurs by exploiting the reputation of established corporate brands.
Digital evidence under examination includes:
- Emails
- WhatsApp conversations
- Banking records
- Electronic devices
- Payment histories
Police have not ruled out the possibility that additional victims may have been targeted using comparable methods.
Expert Advises Independent Verification
Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said organised cyber fraud groups increasingly misuse the names of reputed companies to gain the confidence of individuals seeking business opportunities.
According to him, fraudsters often employ:
- Fake websites
- Forged agreements
- Spoofed email addresses
- Professional-looking communication
- Fabricated authorisation documents
to make fraudulent franchise proposals appear authentic.
He advised prospective investors and entrepreneurs to verify dealership or franchise offers directly through the official websites and authorised representatives of the concerned companies before making any payment.
Tips to Avoid Franchise and Dealership Fraud
Before investing in any franchise or distributorship opportunity, individuals should:
- Verify the offer through the company's official website.
- Contact the company's official customer support.
- Confirm that the representative uses an official corporate email domain.
- Avoid making payments to personal or unrelated bank accounts.
- Carefully review agreements before signing.
- Be cautious of requests for repeated advance payments.
Investigation Continues
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and is focused on identifying all individuals involved, tracing the remaining money trail and determining whether similar offences were committed in other States.
Further legal action may follow if additional evidence establishes the involvement of other suspects or organised cybercrime networks.