Indore: An alleged fraud case has emerged as a resident of Indore, Kusum, reported being swindled of a substantial sum under the pretext of an online business venture. The complainant has accused three individuals, Bharati Parmar, Kanishka Parmar, and Pushpendra Solanki, of orchestrating a scheme that defrauded her of Rs 1 lakh.
According to the complaint filed, the accused convinced Kusum to invest in an online business venture, promising her a potential return of Rs 5 crore over five years. Kusum trusted the accused as Kanishka Parmar had been her long-time roommate, and Pushpendra Solanki, Kanishka’s alleged boyfriend, also persuaded her to invest in the business, promising that they would eventually drive flashy cars like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi.
At the time, Kusum did not have the money to invest, but the accused couple persistently called and messaged her daily to convince her to join the scheme. Initially skeptical, Kusum questioned the nature of the business, asking what it entailed and what her role would be. Kanishka assured her that it was an international business project where they promoted companies on social media, deliberately avoiding revealing the company’s name.
When Kusum specifically asked if this was a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) scheme or network marketing, as she did not want to engage in such activities, Kanishka cunningly lied, stating that it was neither direct selling, network marketing, nor MLM. She described it as an online business where they represented brands and made money by increasing their transactions.
Finally, convinced by the sweet talk of her friend, Kusum deposited Rs 1 lakh into their account via NEFT on September 13, 2022. However, after receiving the money, the accused couple made her attend seminars and training for 2-3 months. When Kusum inquired about how to make money, they revealed that she would need to recruit people to earn money. She was told that she would have to wear revealing clothes, meet people in high-end restaurants and hotels, and convince them to invest in the scheme, with amounts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh each. It was only at this point that Kanishka and Pushpendra disclosed the company’s name as QNET, explaining that they deliberately withheld this information until the refund period had expired.
Upon receiving the complaint, the police launched an investigation to uncover the truth behind the alleged scam. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused exploited their acquaintance with Ms. Kusum, gaining her trust under the guise of a reliable investment opportunity. The accused allegedly collected Rs 1 lakh from the victim but provided neither returns nor refunded the initial investment, raising strong suspicions of fraudulent intent.
The investigation has revealed that the accused’s inability to justify their actions or provide a valid reason for withholding the money has only deepened the suspicion. The authorities are treating the matter with utmost seriousness, given the growing concern over online trading scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are making concerted efforts to locate and apprehend the accused individuals. The case has been registered under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These charges reflect the seriousness of the crime and the potential consequences for the accused if found guilty.
Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to remain cautious and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities, particularly those offered through QNET.
The police have also requested anyone with information about the whereabouts of the accused to come forward, ensuring a swift resolution to the case. Pushpendra Solanki has been accused under case number 450/2024 and charged under sections 420, 406, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The charges relate to the alleged fraud, where the accused, along with others, is said to have misled the complainant into investing Rs 1 lakh in an online business through the company QNET.
The court observed that the accused and the company have been involved in similar fraud cases across different states. Given the serious nature of the allegations, the potential for influencing the investigation, and the lack of a prior criminal record for the accused, the court concluded that granting bail was not appropriate at this stage.
The court rejected the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded to judicial custody. A copy of the order was sent to the concerned police station, and the case diary was returned to the investigating officer for further investigation.
Pushpendra Solanki was arrested in Bhopal by Vijay Nagar Police Station officers and was placed in lockup for 10-12 days. Following Pushpendra’s arrest, information about the case went viral throughout Indore. Pushpendra’s upline associates, namely Dilip Gour, Ankur and his wife Anita, Dr. Anurag, and Sonu, are all absconding. Meanwhile, the accused Kanishka and her mother, Bharati Parmar, are still at large and are reportedly hiding in Narsinghgarh. The police have not yet arrested them.
Despite initial support from law enforcement, including DCP Abhinav Vishwakarma, ACP Krishna Lal Chandani, SI AniL Gautam and Constable Uma Shankar, the investigation has faced setbacks as these officers have now withdrawn their backing. Their change in stance has raised concerns among those seeking justice in the case, leading to questions about the integrity and commitment of the authorities involved.
