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21-year-old Delhi man duped Amazon by seeking refunds for 166 mobiles, earns nearly Rs 50 lakh

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7 years ago

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Accused ordered phones on Amazon, complained that he received an empty box and seek refund. He would then sell the phone on OLX or at Delhi’s Gaffar Market

In what could well be a mischievous take on the Start-Up India campaign, a 21-year-old Delhi youth bought over 166 expensive mobile phones from e-tailing major Amazon, sought refunds from the online citing a new excuse each time and sold off the phones in the grey market. While the con artist – identified as Tri Nagar resident Shivam Chopra – got arrested last week for duping Amazon, he had already made a neat Rs 50 lakh from his inimitable fraud.

Chopra, who had pursued a course in hotel management but failed to secure a job before he devised his plan to swindle Amazon, was arrested by the Delhi police on October 6. His interrogation has left the police, and perhaps even Amazon, stunned at the manner in which he executed the con for months without anyone smelling something fishy about his frequent orders for mobile phones on the e-tailing portal.

Sources said that Chopra, plagued by unemployment, began the fraud in March this year when, as a way to test his plan, he ordered two mobile phones from Amazon, sought a refund from the e-tailer and got refund vouchers in return without any hassles. Sensing that his plan could be executing with ease, Chopra then began ordering expensive mobile phones from the online portal – placing orders from handsets manufactured by companies like Apple, Samsung and OnePlus – and then cooking up some excuse to demand a refund.

The police said that Chopra would sell the phones either on another online marketplace OLX or in the national capital’s infamous Gaffar Market. Identified by the US Trade Representative as one of the world’s “notorious markets” in global piracy in 2014, Gaffar Market, has a thriving business of selling second-hand as well as pirated mobile phones without the buyer or seller facing hassles like providing a bill or identity documents.

The police have also arrested Chopra’s accomplice, a telecom store owner identified as 38-year-old Sachin Jain. Chopra had roped in Jain to provide him with as many as 141 pre-activated SIM cards for a mere Rs 150 per card. Chopra allegedly used different SIM cards to place his multiple orders with Amazon, citing a new customer name and residential address each time.

Police sources said that all delivery addresses given by Chopra were of places around his actual Tri Nagar residence. Once a delivery associate from Amazon would reach the address mentioned against the order, he would invariably call Chopra to verify his whereabouts, police said, adding that the conman would then guide the associate to his actual residence and take the delivery. Chopra would then call up the customer care helpline of Amazon or log on to the portal and complain that he had received an “empty box” following which – in accordance with the policy of the e-tailer – he would get a refund voucher for the value of the phone he had placed an order for. Chopra would next head to Gaffar Market or put up the phone on OLX and sell it off.

“This modus operandi was repeated for all 166 orders that were placed by the accused between April and May this year,” said Milind Dumbere, deputy commissioner of police (north west).

Chopra’s fraud came to light when Amazon realised that nearly 150 complaints of getting “empty boxes” against orders for expensive mobile phones had been received from the same area (Tri Nagar).

The police have also seized 19 mobile phones, Rs 12 lakh in cash and 40 bank passbooks and cheques from Chopra’s residence. Sources said Chopra had also stashed Rs 10 lakh in cash with a friend for “safekeeping”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India News

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says poor engineering, lack of accountabillity behind road accidents

Nitin Gadkari blames flawed road designs and lack of accountability for rising road accidents in India. He calls for improved safety measures and better planning in infrastructure projects.

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15 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has blamed faulty detailed project reports (DPRs) and flawed road designs for the increasing number of road accidents in India. Speaking at the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS), he underscored the lack of accountability in road construction and planning, calling for urgent reforms to improve road safety.

Engineering flaws behind rising accidents

Gadkari, known for his candid opinions, stated, “Most of the road accidents happen in the country due to small civil mistakes, faulty DPRs and nobody is held accountable.” He pointed out that poor-quality DPRs and defective planning have led to an alarming rise in road mishaps.

Expressing concern over India’s poor road signage and marking systems, Gadkari urged authorities to take lessons from countries such as Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, where road infrastructure is significantly better.

Call for new strategies and sustainable materials

The minister emphasized the importance of adopting newer technologies and sustainable, recyclable materials in road construction to enhance safety. He urged the road construction industry to devise better strategies for accident prevention.

Disturbing road accident statistics

India recorded a staggering 1,80,000 deaths due to road accidents in 2023, a number Gadkari deemed unacceptable. With road safety being a top priority, he reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents by 50% by 2030.

Industry voices stress on prioritizing safety

At the event, International Road Federation (IRF) president emeritus K K Kapila echoed Gadkari’s concerns, stating that safety should be integrated into every aspect of road design, construction, and management. He emphasized that initiatives like GRIS aim to move towards a future with zero road fatalities.

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India News

AI-generated video of miniature humans making Indian sweets goes viral with 16 million views

A viral AI-generated video shows tiny human figures crafting oversized Indian sweets in a creative reel that has captivated social media, amassing over 16 million views.

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15 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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AI-generated video of tiny humans making Indian sweets

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine creativity in the digital world, and the latest viral sensation is a testament to that. A mesmerizing AI-generated video featuring miniature human figures ‘making’ traditional Indian sweets has taken social media by storm, amassing over 16 million views on Instagram.

Miniature workers crafting oversized sweets

The viral reel, shared by the Instagram page @the.aiengineer, showcases tiny human-like figures engaged in the intricate process of ‘preparing’ various Indian sweets that appear much larger than them. Dressed as construction workers, the miniature figures are depicted as ‘perfecting’ stacks of jalebis, kneading soft rasgullas, glazing gulab jamuns, and shaping laddoos, kaju katlis, barfis, patisa, and other beloved treats.

One particularly creative scene features rasgullas floating in a pond of sugar syrup, with the tiny figures rowing a boat over them. In the background, more miniature workers are seen carting, collecting, and shaping ingredients such as dry fruits and nuts. Ladders, cranes, and other construction machinery are cleverly incorporated into the scenes, making the process look like a grand culinary project.

Social media reacts with admiration and humor

The video has sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section. While many users expressed awe and appreciation for the imaginative concept, others found it humorous. Some of the top comments included:

  • “Wow, so beautiful.”
  • “Can’t stop watching it. It’s amazing.”
  • “Get me a ticket to this city.”
  • “Love the imagination.”
  • “No hygiene at all… people are walking on laddoos!”

Some viewers even drew comparisons to the world of ants, while others humorously pointed out concerns about hygiene in this whimsical world of sweets.

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Entertainment

Kiara Advani exits Don 3 after pregnancy announcement, says report

Kiara Advani has reportedly exited Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement. However, an official confirmation is still awaited.

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15 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Kiara Advani exits Don 3 after pregnancy news

Bollywood actress Kiara Advani has reportedly stepped away from Ranveer Singh-starrer Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement with husband Sidharth Malhotra. The actress was earlier confirmed as the female lead in Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated film.

No official confirmation from the makers yet

As per a report, Kiara Advani has chosen to prioritize her personal life over Don 3. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the actress or the makers of the film regarding her exit. Last year, Excel Entertainment welcomed Kiara to the Don universe through a social media announcement, but no details about her role were disclosed.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s pregnancy announcement

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra shared the joyful news of their pregnancy last week with a heartwarming post on social media. The couple posted an image featuring a pair of tiny socks, captioning it, “The greatest gift of our lives. Coming soon.” Fans and industry colleagues showered the couple with congratulatory messages.

Kiara’s upcoming projects

While stepping away from Don 3, Kiara Advani is currently wrapping up War 2, where she will be seen alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. She is also working on Toxic, starring Kannada superstar Yash.

Beyond these confirmed projects, speculation is rife regarding Kiara’s involvement in Shakti Shalini and Dhoom 4, both set for a 2026 release. Whether she will continue with these projects or take a break remains to be seen, with an official announcement awaited.

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