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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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[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]

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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