Fake ‘Jio Tower installation’ websites cheat people of lakhs

Fake Jio Tower Scam websites, Fake websites such as “jiotowerinstallation.in” and “jiotowerindia.in” are allegedly cheating people of lakhs of rupees in the name of setting up Jio mobile towers on their plots. The websites allegedly lure people by promising rents of ₹15,000-35,000 per month and one-time payment of ₹10-25 lakh. For initiating the process, victims are asked to deposit ‘processing fee’ of up to ₹50,000.

AS per the report of the quint A mass-marketing fraud in the name of Reliance Jio has been luring in unsuspecting victims across the country, duping them of lakhs of rupees.

These frauds, which are unique to India – owing to its rapidly expanding mobile market – trap victims by offering to “lease” out their land at exorbitant rents (Rs 15-35,000 per month) for setting up mobile communication towers, and also offer a handsome one-time advance payment (Rs 10-25 lakh).

The catch: A “small” processing fee anywhere in the range of Rs 10-50,000. This “small” fee accrues to lakhs and even crores with an increase in the number of victims.

And unlike other internet-based frauds, which are often run by unorganised groups for short stints, the ‘Jio tower scam’ appears to be a highly efficient, organised racket.

It has a well-laid out victim acquisition strategy, fail-safe contingencies and a modus operandi designed to evade legal and police scrutiny as far as possible.

The fraud, however, also extends online.