Surat Police Take Down Pan-India Weight-Loss Scandal Linked to Social Media Ads

Post Views: 14

Surat police have dismantled a high-tech national weight-loss fraud network operating under a medical counseling company, generating 80 crore in illicit revenue through social media campaigns and blackmail tactics.

Overview of the Fraud Network

A high-tech criminal operation centered in Gurugram, Haryana, has been dismantled by Surat police following an investigation into a large-scale healthcare fraud scheme. The network, operating under the pretense of a medical counseling company, allegedly targeted thousands of individuals across multiple states, generating an estimated 80 crore in illicit revenue.

Victim’s Experience and Fraudulent Tactics

The operation began after a Surat resident fell victim to a deceptive weight-loss program, losing 177.2 million rupees through a series of fraudulent transactions. The syndicate utilized social media platforms to distribute targeted advertisements promising rapid weight reduction through medical programs. Prospective victims who engaged with these ads were contacted by individuals posing as medical professionals, who created fabricated digital health records to establish credibility.

Investigation and Arrests

To evade financial tracking systems, the group required initial payments of 15,000 rupees and then arranged for physical cash pickups via couriers traveling from Delhi to Surat. These couriers collected large sums under the guise of delivering medical supplies. After the victim had already transferred over 177.2 million rupees, the perpetrators initiated a blackmail campaign, demanding an additional 81.5 lakh rupees. They threatened to terminate the victim’s medical program, claiming it would cause severe health complications.

The victim reported the incident to the Surat Cyber Crime Branch, triggering a multi-state investigation. Forensic teams traced digital communications and flight records of the couriers, leading to raids on the Gurugram headquarters. Arrests were made, including Mohammad Hussain (alias Rahul Raj) and Omprakash Rajak, with significant evidence of fraudulent activities seized.

Legal Proceedings and Public Advisories

Legal proceedings have commenced against the primary suspects under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Information Technology Act, covering charges of organized fraud, intimidation, and digital forgery. Forensic accountants are analyzing seized servers and financial records to map the full scope of the scheme.

Experts emphasize that legitimate medical institutions do not request large cash payments through courier services or use threats of harm to enforce transactions.

The scale of the operation has prompted regional health authorities and cyber safety agencies to issue public advisories, warning citizens to avoid unverified medical programs promoted through aggressive online advertising.