Mumbai: A suspected fraud involving the replacement of new LED televisions with old and different models during delivery has come to light in Mumbai. Sakinaka police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against a former delivery employee associated with an e-commerce company’s office in Andheri East. The accused has been identified as 24-year-old Aliyas Moda. According to police, Moda allegedly swapped at least 25 new LED televisions during delivery. The total value of the televisions is estimated at ₹12.37 lakh.
Police said the accused allegedly replaced packages containing new LED TVs ranging from 50 inches to 75 inches before they reached customers. The new televisions were allegedly removed and replaced with old sets. Several customers reportedly refused to accept the deliveries after noticing damaged packages or finding television sets that did not match the models they had ordered. As complaints increased, officials at the company’s Chandivli warehouse began suspecting irregularities in the delivery process.
The company subsequently launched an internal investigation. Officials examined CCTV footage recorded between May 25 and July 10 and checked delivery-related records. The investigation allegedly revealed a pattern in which some television sets were being replaced before reaching customers. Based on the warehouse officials’ complaint, police registered the case on Monday. According to police, Moda had already been removed from the company’s employment.
During the investigation, police questioned another delivery employee, Aryan Pal, and allegedly gathered information about Moda’s modus operandi. According to police, Pal told investigators that Moda had paid him ₹5,000 to remain silent. Moda had allegedly initially promised to pay him between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000. Pal reportedly said that Moda would contact him to obtain customers’ addresses and delivery timings, using the information to plan the alleged package swaps along the delivery route.
According to police, Moda would stop the relevant package during the delivery journey, remove the new television and place an old set inside instead. When the package reached the customer, several recipients reportedly refused to accept it after noticing damage to the packaging or finding that the television model was different from the one ordered. The returned packages eventually reached the warehouse, prompting further scrutiny by company officials. The growing number of complaints led the company to examine CCTV footage and investigate the delivery process.
One of the customers affected by the alleged fraud was Mayuresh Pai, director of LM Music Studio in Versova. He had ordered a 65-inch LED television. Under the company’s delivery procedure, the package was opened at the time of delivery and a video and photographs were recorded. Pai said the television inside the package was not the product he had ordered. The delivery employee subsequently took the package back, and Pai received a refund.
Pai said he had placed the order after seeing a discount offer, but after receiving the refund, he was unable to purchase the same product again at the earlier discounted price. He later learned that alleged tampering with television packages had been taking place during deliveries.
Police are now examining CCTV footage, delivery records and information obtained from employees as part of the investigation. Investigators are also trying to determine where the old televisions allegedly used in the swaps came from and what happened to the new sets after they were removed from the packages. Police are further examining whether Moda allegedly acted alone or had assistance from others. No arrest has been made in the case so far.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
