The Fake Tata EV Dealership Scam has come under the spotlight after the Mumbai Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five individuals accused of operating fraudulent dealership websites. The case was filed at the MRA Marg Police Station following a complaint by the Senior Manager (Legal) of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited (TPEML), a subsidiary of Tata Motors.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly created multiple fake online portals over the past year to impersonate the company’s dealership process and deceive aspiring entrepreneurs into paying hefty application and franchise fees.
Five Accused Booked Under Multiple BNS Sections
The FIR names Keshab Kumar, Akash Bansal, Kunal Singh, Raju Manaskar, and one unidentified accomplice. They have been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including sections related to cheating, cheating by personation, forgery, forgery of valuable securities, and using forged documents as genuine. Investigators believe the accused targeted victims in India as well as several overseas markets.
How the Fake Dealership Fraud Worked
The Fake Tata EV Dealership Scam involved creating lookalike dealership websites with names closely resembling the company’s official identity. Whenever Tata’s legal team managed to block one fraudulent portal through domain authorities, the fraudsters allegedly launched another with a slightly modified name.
Victims who submitted dealership inquiries reportedly received calls from individuals posing as company executives. In one case, a victim allegedly paid ₹5.5 lakh as an application fee and was later asked to deposit an additional ₹7.75 lakh as a franchise fee.
Public Advisory for Aspiring Dealership Applicants
The Fake Tata EV Dealership Scam highlights the growing threat of online impersonation and phishing attacks. TPEML has urged the public not to share personal information or transfer money through unofficial dealership platforms. Prospective applicants should verify dealership opportunities only through official company communication channels before making any financial commitments.
Authorities continue to investigate the Fake Tata EV Dealership Scam and have advised citizens to report suspicious websites or fraudulent dealership offers immediately.
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