E-commerce Franchise Fraud Exposed in Malad, Nine Held

The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Unit 10 has busted an alleged fraudulent call centre in Malad West and arrested nine people, including the company’s owners, department head and manager, for allegedly cheating customers by offering fake courier and e-commerce franchise opportunities.

Acting on confidential information, Crime Branch officials raided Insta Transfer Biz Pvt. Ltd. at Evershine Mall on Link Road, Malad West, at around 3.15 pm on August 24, 2026. Police found around 35 to 40 people working on computers at the premises.

According to the police, employees contacted prospective customers through telephone calls and WhatsApp messages, claiming that the company had tie-ups with leading courier and e-commerce companies. Customers were allegedly offered “lifetime franchises” for a fixed investment, with promises of attractive business returns.

Investigators said the company had a business arrangement with Flipkart, but its telecallers allegedly claimed associations with several other prominent companies, including Amazon, Myntra, Blue Dart, DTDC and BigBasket.

Police said customer details were passed on to team leaders and managers, who allegedly followed up with prospective franchisees and invited them to the office. Notarised franchise agreements were reportedly prepared for customers who agreed to the franchise proposals.

With assistance from cyber expert Crime Branch officials examined computers and laptops at the premises and seized customer databases, franchise agreements, accounting and payment records, emails, complaint data, telecalling scripts and bank account details.