Mumbai (Maharashtra): With the Maharashtra government like many other state governments allowing online sale of liquor - an important source of revenue for the state - amid the coronavirus outbreak, there have been several instances of cyber fraudsters duping tipplers in the name of doorstep liquor delivery.
These cyber fraudsters have been uploading mobile numbers on various online platforms including WhatsApp in the name of some well-frequented wine shops across the city. Once a customer places an order, he or she is asked to make an online payment via applications such as Google Pay, Phone Pe, PayTm, etc. After the payment is made, the fraudsters immediately change their phone number and disappear, therefore duping the customer.
Acting on the increasing number of such cyber fraud cases, Ashok Patel, President, Fort Merchant Association has lodged a complaint with the state’s Excise department as well as Mumbai police against unknown persons demanding action.
“Most customers duped of thousands of Rupees are not coming forward to file a complaint, but I have lodged a complaint so that action is taken against them. I want to appeal to people through ETV Bharat to buy liquor online only if they know the shop and its owner,” Patel told ETV Bharat.
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Patel, who has been in the liquor business for years, said that around 100 people purchasing alcohol online are being cheated by fraudsters on a daily basis.
Presently, there are 1,190 licensed liquor shops in Mumbai city alone, out of which only 424 liquor shops are permitted to make home delivery.
