Hyderabad: Thirteen individuals have been arrested for allegedly cheating an electronics retail chain in Hyderabad of ₹ 4 crore by using the UPI payment system and then filed a complaint with the bank to reverse the amount. Police have seized ₹ 1.72 lakh in cash and electronic goods worth over ₹ 50 lakh.
Bajaj Electronics owns a chain of showrooms and has lodged fraud and cheating cases at multiple police stations in Cyberabad, Hyderabad, Rachakonda and other areas.
During their investigation, police uncovered a consistent modus operandi across multiple cases. The scheme involved a group of individuals visiting showrooms, selecting home appliances, and using the showroom's UPI scanner to process payment through an accomplice in Rajasthan . After the transaction was completed, the accomplice would file a chargeback complaint with the bank, disputing the transaction. 

This complaint led to the reversal of the payment, allowing the gang to keep the appliance without actually paying for it.

The probe identified at least 13 members, aged between 20 and 25, involved in the operation. While some members were based in Hyderabad, others were located in Rajasthan . 

The gang would then sell the stolen appliances and divide the proceeds among themselves.

Those arrested in connection with the case include SomRaj, Sunil, Sharwan, Somraj, Shivalal, Ramesh, Shrawan, Pappu Ram, Shravan, Rakesh, Ramesh, and Ashok Kumar.