Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in India, but the rising demand has also created opportunities for fraudsters. In a recent case from Bengaluru, a Man Arrested for Fake PM Scheme Fraud allegedly cheated several customers by promising electric scooters at a heavily discounted price under a non-existent government scheme.
Fake Government Scheme Used to Attract Buyers
According to Bengaluru police, the man arrested for cheating buyers has been identified as Rakesh, the owner of the Appke EV showroom located in North Bengaluru. Authorities say he and his staff allegedly lured customers by claiming that the central government had launched a special scheme to promote electric scooters.
Under this supposed scheme, customers were told they could purchase an EV scooter for just ₹25,000, even though the actual market price was around ₹70,000. The showroom employees reportedly convinced buyers that the remaining amount would be covered through a loan arranged by the company.
False EMI Promise to Gain Trust
The fraud became more convincing when the staff promised that the monthly loan EMIs would be paid by the showroom itself under the so-called “Prime Minister’s Scheme.” This promise made the offer appear legitimate and attractive to many customers looking for affordable electric mobility.
Police say the man arrested for cheating buyers used this tactic to gain the trust of multiple victims. Customers were told that their scooters would be delivered within a week after paying the initial amount.
Victim’s Complaint Exposes the Scam
The case came to light after a 38-year-old woman filed a complaint with the police. According to the FIR, she made a down payment of ₹25,000 in November 2025 after being convinced by the showroom’s employees. However, she reportedly did not receive a payment receipt at the time.
The showroom promised that the scooter would be delivered within a week, but the vehicle was never delivered. Later, the woman discovered that a loan of nearly ₹1.35 lakh had been taken in her name from a private bank using her credentials.
She also told police that only ₹5,000 had been credited to her account toward the EMI payments, forcing her to continue paying the remaining installments herself.
Investigation Reveals Multiple Victims
During the investigation, the complainant informed authorities that she had identified several other victims who had been targeted similarly. Police now suspect that many more people may have been affected by the fraud.
Following the complaint, Bengaluru police launched an investigation and eventually arrested the accused in March 2026. Officials say the man arrested for cheating buyers may have orchestrated the scam through the showroom to collect advance payments while using customers’ documents to obtain unauthorized loans.
Police Continue Probe
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify additional victims and determine the full scale of the fraud. The case serves as a reminder for consumers to verify government schemes and obtain proper receipts before making any payments, especially when deals appear unusually attractive.
Related Articles:-
