A case of alleged fraud involving a courier franchise has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra, where a man claims he was cheated of ₹1.50 lakh after being promised a five-year courier franchise. According to the complaint, a private company collected a security deposit on the assurance of setting up the business but neither commenced operations nor refunded the money. The complainant has further alleged that the company used a similar model to collect nearly ₹3,000 crore from around 1,000 franchise holders across the country. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched an investigation.
According to police, complainant Naveen Sharma, a resident of Rajrai in Agra’s Tajganj area, stated in his complaint to the Cyber Crime Police Station that he entered into an agreement with Dallas E Com Infotech Private Limited at its corporate office in New Delhi on October 5, 2025. He alleged that company employee Harshit Singh introduced him to Shyamsundar and Rishali Raj, who offered him a five-year courier partnership for Agra postal zones 282006 and 282009.
The complainant alleged that the company demanded a ₹1.50 lakh security deposit for awarding the franchise. Company representatives reportedly assured him that employee training, office setup, and operational arrangements would be completed within 45 days, after which courier services would begin. Relying on these assurances, he deposited the required amount.
According to the complaint, even after the promised 45-day period had expired, the company failed to commence operations. When Sharma attempted to contact company officials, their phone numbers were allegedly unreachable. He later discovered that the company’s branches operating in different parts of the country had also been shut down, leading him to suspect that he had been defrauded.
The complainant further alleged that the company adopted a similar modus operandi with nearly 1,000 franchise applicants nationwide, collecting large security deposits under the promise of courier franchises. He claimed that the alleged scheme may have generated nearly ₹3,000 crore. However, this allegation has not been independently verified, and police are examining the claim as part of their ongoing investigation.
Based on the complaint, police have registered an FIR under relevant legal provisions. Investigators are examining the company’s registration records, bank accounts, payment trails, agreements, digital communications, and other financial transactions. Authorities are also working to determine the role of the company’s directors, employees, and other associated individuals in the alleged fraud.
According to the Future Crime Research Foundation, fraudsters operating franchise, dealership, distributorship, and agency scams frequently lure victims by offering attractive business opportunities, limited-time offers, and promises of assured returns while collecting security deposits or processing fees. Prospective investors should independently verify a company’s corporate registration, GST records, office address, business history, customer feedback, and the legal validity of agreements before investing. Experts also advise making payments only after verifying official bank account details and completing proper due diligence. Police have urged the public to remain cautious of suspicious franchise or investment offers and to immediately report any suspected fraud to the appropriate law enforcement or cybercrime authorities.
