2 duped in MLM scam promising high returns

Hyderabad: Two private workers from the city have approached Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) police alleging that fraudsters operating a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) racket made them transfer over ₹60,000 each in the name of an investment scheme. After the investment, the victims realised that it was an MLM fraud and since the fraudsters refused to return the amount, they approached police. Two separate cases were booked.

According to police, the victims were lured through personal contacts and WhatsApp conversations by individuals posing as business associates offering high-return investment opportunities under an organisation named Ignite. “The accused convinced the victims to register on an online portal, Ignite, and purchase product packages in US dollars, promising substantial profits and commissions when they refer others to register on the site,” said a CCS official.

In the first complaint, a 25-year-old private worker from Manikonda met an accused, Riyaz, when she was at a mall in Panjagutta on June 2. Claiming that he represents a private company with good investment opportunities, Riyaz made her talk to his associate, Irfan, who claimed to operate from Dubai for Ignite company. Irfan convinced her to invest ₹63,899 in Ignite company’s investment scheme and after she transferred over ₹63,000, Irfan provided her access credentials for Ignite portal.

In a similar incident, a 32-year-old man from Chandanagar claimed that he lost ₹61,639 after being induced to make multiple payments towards investment in Ignite company on June 2. Both the victims claimed that after registering, they were told by the fraudsters that money can be made only by referring more people to register. Upon realising that it was MLM fraud, the victims approached Panjagutta and SR Nagar police, respectively, and separate FIRs were registered on June 5. Both cases have been transferred to the Central Crime Station (CCS) and re-registered on June 6.