In a case that exposes the vulnerabilities of India’s fast-expanding e-commerce sector, Kanpur police have arrested five men accused of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud ring targeting Amazon deliveries. Investigators say the group worked in tandem with delivery personnel to exploit loopholes in the company’s return system, systematically swapping genuine products with counterfeits before sending packages back into circulation.
The arrests followed a complaint lodged on September 11 by Sanjay Kumar, a delivery worker from the Jarouli area, who reported the theft of a bag containing parcels worth ₹41,000. According to Kumar, he had attempted to deliver a package to a customer named “Anurag Tiwari,” only to discover that no such individual lived at the listed address. When he returned to find his motorcycle unattended, his bag filled with orders had vanished.
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How the Scam Operated
Police allege the gang placed orders using fake identities and false addresses. Once packages arrived, they would extract authentic goods, substitute them with imitations, and return the tampered parcels, ensuring refunds or exchanges were processed as though nothing was amiss. In instances where delivery workers resisted suspicious instructions, the accused resorted to outright theft, as seen in Kumar’s case.
The group’s activities came to light after surveillance footage and call records led officers to the arrest of 28-year-old Shiv Lochan Shukla near Basant Vihar highway. Shukla was allegedly in possession of a stolen motorcycle and a cache of pilfered goods. His interrogation led police to four associates: Raqeeb Ahmad, Meraj Khan, Adarsh Gautam, and Mohammad Rizwan. Two motorcycles, including one reported stolen in Fatehpur, were recovered, along with multiple parcels.
A Wider Pattern of Fraud
Officials noted that each of the accused has a prior criminal record, ranging from petty theft to organized fraud. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Dipendra Nath Chaudhary emphasised that the investigation highlights the need for stricter checks in e-commerce logistics, especially in urban delivery hubs like Kanpur, where demand is high and oversight remains limited.
While Amazon India did not issue a statement immediately, experts say the case underlines persistent challenges in balancing rapid growth in online retail with security measures. For police, the arrests mark progress in curbing a trend that blends digital deception with street-level crime, a convergence increasingly shaping India’s urban economy.