Uttarakhand Police Arrested Scammers Selling Fake McDonald's and KFC Franchises -

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Uttarakhand Police Arrested Scammers Selling Fake McDonald’s and KFC Franchises

Dehradoon: Beware! Consider pursuing a franchise opportunity with well-known restaurants such as McDonald’s and KFC, as cybercriminals may have their sights set on you. The Uttarakhand Cybercrime Police apprehended a notorious gang that traded franchises of well-known restaurants across India in order to defraud individuals.

Scammers operating under this alias created illegitimate websites and pretended to be restaurant staff in order to defraud individuals of crores of rupees.

A resident of Dehradun was duped into a fraudulent website while conducting an online search for KFC franchise information, which exposed the scheme’s operational framework. By employing email correspondence that appeared to be official inquiries from KFC, the group deceived the target out of more than 24 lakh rupees while claiming to be obtaining a franchise.

The Dehradun Cybercrime Police initiated legal proceedings under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 66D of the IT Act in response to the complaint. Under the direction of Inspector TribhuvanRautela, the investigation uncovered the gang’s extensive operations in multiple states.

The investigation unveiled the gang’s participation in analogous fraudulent activities throughout India, as complaints and forged website connections surfaced from different states. Senior Superintendent of Police STF assembled a specialized team led by Inspector Rautela with the objective of apprehending the wrongdoers.

Eventually, after conducting raids throughout the nation, the team located the suspects in Chhattisgarh, where they had been apprehended in a distinct matter.

Bihar inhabitants Suraj Kumar (24) and Rampravesh Prasad (55), who is his father, were both discovered incarcerated in Durg Central Jail.

They were returned from Chhattisgarh by the Dehradun Police, who also obtained a judicial custody remand. Both defendants are presently incarcerated in the District Jail of Dehradun on suspicion of engaging in fraudulent activities.

Suraj Kumar has an existing criminal record, having been charged in a case registered at the Challani Police Station, Cyber Crime Dehradun, under IPC sections 420, 120B, and 66D of the IT Act. Rampravesh Prasad is additionally accused of comparable offenses in a case that was filed at the Challani Police Station in Supela, District Durg, Chhattisgarh.

This case emphasizes the significance of cybercrime awareness and the escalating danger posed by online schemes. By remaining informed and promptly reporting any suspicious activity, individuals have the ability to contribute to the containment of criminal organizations.

The Dehradun KFC franchise scheme serves as a cautionary tale concerning numerous investment frauds. The following cybersecurity advice will assist you in avoiding similar scams:

Prior to Investing:

Verify the source	Franchisees’ official website addresses and contact information should always be verified twice. Consider reputable sources, such as official company statements or authenticated social media profiles.
Beware of unsolicited offers	It is advisable to exercise prudence when unexpectedly contacted regarding a franchise opportunity, particularly via email or phone. It is uncommon for legitimate franchises to engage in unsolicited marketing.
Research and compare	Avoid making hasty decisions. Conduct extensive research on the franchise, encompassing aspects such as its standing, franchise fees, and mandatory qualifications. Before committing, compare information from multiple sources.

Implementing Security Measures:

Beware of fake websites	Consider red flags such as typographical errors, peculiar domain names, and unprofessional design. Validate the presence of HTTPS encryption and security certificates.
Never share personal information	Sensitive information such as bank account numbers, passwords, or government IDs should not be transmitted via email or unencrypted channels. Trustworthy franchises will not request such details in advance.
Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA)	For your online accounts, generate complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This further strengthens the security measures in place to deter unauthorized entry.

About The Author:

Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blog, he’s also written for brands including CollegeDunia, Utsav Fashion, and NASSCOM. Naager entered the field of content in an unusual way. He began his career as an insurance sales executive, where he developed an interest in simplifying difficult concepts. He also combines this interest with a love of narrative, which makes him a good writer in the cybersecurity field. In the bottom line, he frequently writes for Craw Security.

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