Mangaluru police bust multi-state scam targeting e-commerce giant; two arrested
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Nov 2: The Mangaluru police have uncovered a multi-state, multi-crore scam with the arrest of two men accused of defrauding an e-commerce giant across India, officials said on Saturday.
The suspects, Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27) from Rajasthan, are alleged to be part of a large-scale fraud spanning over 10 states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal described the arrests as a significant breakthrough.
A case has been registered at Urwa police station in Mangaluru.
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The scam, reportedly, involved orders worth Rs 11.45 lakh placed under a false identity. The accused used the name Amith, to place orders, for two high-value cameras and other items, providing a fictitious address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru.
Upon delivery, Meena collected the items and provided the OTP while Gurjar distracted the delivery personnel. They, then, swapped the original stickers on the Sony camera boxes, with those of other items in the order, delaying delivery confirmation by using an incorrect OTP and arranging to collect the cameras the next day.
Suspicion arose when the accused later canceled the camera order, prompting the private logistics, the e-commerce platform's delivery partner, to inspect the boxes and uncover the sticker swapping. Investigation confirmed that the accused had taken the cameras, leaving behind tampered boxes, police said.
The Urwa Police initiated an investigation, seizing Rs 11.45 lakh obtained from the sale of fraudulently acquired goods.
Meena was first detained by Salem Police in Tamil Nadu before being taken into Urwa Police custody on October 18. Gurjar was subsequently apprehended in Mangaluru on October 28 following Meena's interrogation.
Meena had previously been arrested on October 4 in a similar case involving the e-commerce giant. Both suspects face charges across multiple states, including Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The investigation continues with authorities coordinating with police in states where additional cases are pending.
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Roof collapse at Novi Sad Railway station claims 14 lives, sparks outrage
Novi Sad, Serbia: At least 14 people, including a young child and a foreign national, were killed when the concrete roof of a railway station in Novi Sad collapsed on Friday. Rescue efforts continue as emergency teams search for survivors trapped beneath the rubble. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic have pledged a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and hold those responsible accountable.
Interior Minister Dacic confirmed the death toll, which includes a 6-year-old girl and a citizen from Northern Macedonia. Three individuals were rescued with serious injuries and are currently receiving medical care. As 80 rescue workers clear the wreckage, officials warn the death toll could rise, with some victims yet to be identified.
The incident has reignited public anger over station maintenance, with opposition groups blaming government negligence and poor upkeep for the tragedy. President Vucic clarified that the collapsed roof had not been part of recent renovations, pledging accountability at both political and criminal levels.
Prime Minister Milos Vucevic noted that the original canopy structure, built in 1964, remained unchanged in recent updates. In response to the tragedy, the government has declared Saturday a day of mourning, and residents in Novi Sad are gathering to light candles in remembrance of the victims.
