Major E-Commerce Fraud Uncovered: Gang Arrested for Parcel Tampering Across Gujarat and Rajasthan
A suspected case of parcel tampering has escalated into a large-scale, organized e-commerce fraud operation spanning the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. In a significant breakthrough, the city crime branch has arrested five individuals from Jalore, Ahmedabad, and Surat, exposing a sophisticated scam that infiltrated delivery networks.
How the Fraud Operated
According to police investigations, the gang allegedly used fake accounts to order expensive electronics from popular e-commerce platforms. They then intercepted these consignments during transit, replacing genuine gadgets such as mobile phones and smartwatches with dummy devices. The counterfeit items were subsequently returned to the platforms, while the authentic products were sold illegally on the black market, generating illicit profits.
Case Origins and Investigation Details
The fraud came to light on Thursday when a Naroda-based courier firm, RSA Logistics, approached the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) in Ahmedabad. The complainant, Rishabh Pal, who manages the firm, reported repeated instances of high-value electronics being swapped with dummy devices in Flipkart deliveries, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 4.3 lakh. The discrepancies were first flagged in late January after unusual cancellation patterns and tampering signs were detected.
RSA Logistics employs approximately 60 delivery executives and operates a technology-enabled tracking system. The crime branch probe revealed that the accused had infiltrated courier and last-mile delivery networks, tampering with parcels before they reached customers. Inputs indicated numerous complaints about missing or replaced electronics in consignments moving through Ahmedabad and nearby cities, with the investigation uncovering links extending to Vadodara and Surat in Gujarat, as well as Jalore in Rajasthan, suggesting coordinated cross-state criminal activity.
Arrests and Recoveries
Following a tip-off, police identified and arrested the key individuals involved. The arrested accused have been named as Ramlal Gahlot (27), Manojkumar Mali (30), and Bharatkumar Mali (25), all from Jalore; Vishal Panchal (29) of Katargam in Surat; and Vishal Bavri of Nobelnagar in Ahmedabad, who originally hails from Jalore. Two other suspects, Rishipal Bhati and Vinod, both residents of Jalore, are currently absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.
During the operation, police recovered goods worth Rs 20.52 lakh, including eight mobile phones, 25 dummy phones, three dummy earbuds, 12 dummy gaming processors, a camera lens, and an electric hair dryer. These items are believed to be part of the fraudulent scheme, and further investigation is ongoing to identify additional beneficiaries and quantify the total losses inflicted on e-commerce platforms and their logistics partners.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Efforts
This case highlights vulnerabilities in e-commerce delivery systems and underscores the need for enhanced security measures in logistics networks. Authorities are continuing their probe to dismantle the entire network and prevent similar frauds in the future, emphasizing the importance of vigilance among courier firms and online retailers.
