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Inside the Kewal Ahuja SGF Scandal: Can Franchising Recover?

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Rebuilding Trust in Franchising After the Kewal Ahuja SGF Controversy Franchising in India has long been seen as a stable pathway to entrepreneurship. With the backing of an established brand and access to a proven operational model, many investors viewed franchising as a low-risk, high-reward venture. However, recent incidents like the Kewal Ahuja SGF scandal have shaken this belief, raising serious concerns about transparency, ethics, and accountability in the franchise industry. Kewal Ahuja SGF What Went Wrong with Kewal Ahuja and SGF Franchise? Kewal Ahuja, once a prominent figure in India’s food franchise landscape, played a key role in growing the SGF (Spice Grill Flame) franchise. Marketed as a rising name in the quick-service food sector, SGF attracted numerous franchisees across the country. But beneath the surface, many franchise owners began reporting troubling issues—ranging from lack of backend support to unfulfilled promises of profitability. Allegations against Kewal A...
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SC Cancels 25,753 WBSSC Appointments in Bengal Scam

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The Supreme Court has delivered a major blow to the Mamata Banerjee -led West Bengal government by upholding the Calcutta High Court’s decision to cancel 25,753 appointments made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016. The apex court found the recruitment process to be riddled with fraud and manipulation, ordering a fresh selection process to be conducted within three months. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjiv Kumar refused to overturn the High Court’s ruling, stating that the entire selection process was compromised. "The appointments were tainted by manipulation and fraud, stripping the process of its credibility and legitimacy," the Court observed. While all affected teachers and non-teaching staff will lose their positions, the Court ruled that they will not be required to return the salaries they have received thus far. The verdict has intensified scrutiny on the state government and the WBSSC , raising s...
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Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹5.69 Lakh in Instagram Scam: Is Meta Doing Enough?

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In a shocking case of digital fraud , a 27-year-old woman from Chandigarh was duped out of ₹5.69 lakh through an Instagram-based work-from-home scam. The fraudsters lured her with promises of easy money for liking videos and gradually tricked her into making large investments under false pretenses. The entire scam was orchestrated through WhatsApp and Telegram, where scammers manipulated her into believing she was earning real profits. Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹5.69 Lakh in Instagram Scam. How the Scam Was Executed The scam began on March 25, when the victim, residing in Rajeev Colony, Sector 17, received a WhatsApp message from a woman named Sneha Verma, claiming to represent a legitimate company offering work-from-home opportunities. The victim was assured that she could earn between ₹4,000 and ₹8,000 daily by simply liking Instagram videos. Once she showed interest, she was added to a Telegram group where she received further instructions. Initially, the scammers allowed her to com...
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Even the Educated Can Be Scammed: Nithin Kamath's ₹2,000 Crore Fraud Warning

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Digital frauds in India are on the rise, with victims losing over ₹2,000 crore this year alone. Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath recently shed light on this alarming trend, emphasizing that even well-educated individuals have fallen prey to sophisticated scams. In a post on X, Kamath warned that scammers exploit fear to manipulate people into transferring money. Nithin Kamath How the Digital Arrest Scam Works Fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers, claiming a parcel in the victim’s name has been seized for containing illegal items such as drugs or contraband. They then conduct a WhatsApp video call, appearing in police uniforms, and use intimidation tactics, such as fake arrest warrants or threats of imprisonment, to pressure victims into transferring money to "settle the case." Some scams even involve doctored government documents to make the deception appear legitimate. Kamath pointed out that while many assume they are too educated to be scammed, the reality is dif...
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Franchise Scams in India? Kewal Ahuja & SGF Under Scrutiny

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The Indian franchise industry has seen tremendous growth, attracting entrepreneurs and investors looking for scalable business opportunities. However, recent controversies surrounding Kewal Ahuja and SGF (Spice Grill Flame) have exposed deep-seated issues within the sector. Allegations of financial mismanagement, investor exploitation, and lack of regulatory oversight have raised serious concerns about the credibility of the franchise model in India. Kewal Ahuja SGF The Franchise Business Model and Its Pitfalls Indian franchises typically operate under two primary models: Company-Owned Model: The franchisor retains control over operations and offers guaranteed returns or profit-sharing agreements to investors. Franchise-Owned Model: The franchisee manages daily operations, while the franchisor earns revenue through setup fees and royalties. While these models promise business expansion and profitability, they also leave room for unethical practices. Many investors have fallen prey ...
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Cyber Fraud Cases in India Skyrocket by 4X in FY24, Leading to $20 Million in Losses

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Cyber fraud cases in India surged 4X, causing $20M loss.   Cyber fraud in India has seen an alarming rise, with the number of reported cases increasing fourfold in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24) . According to data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the losses caused by these fraudulent activities have crossed $20 million (INR 165 crore) in a single year. The exponential increase in cybercrime cases highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks, enhanced public awareness, and stricter regulations to protect individuals and businesses from falling victim to sophisticated cyber threats. Scope of the Cyber Fraud Epidemic: Key Insights 1. Alarming Growth in Cybercrime Cases Cyber fraud cases increased by 4 times in FY24 compared to the previous year. Over 1.2 million cybercrime complaints were registered across India, a stark rise from approximately 300,000 cases reported in FY23. Phishing, vish...
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Telecom Providers Disconnect 1.88 Million Connections to Stop Spam in India

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  1.88 million connections cut to stop spam in India. In a significant move to combat the growing menace of spam communications, telecom service providers (TSPs) in India have disconnected 1.88 million mobile connections following the directives of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications. This large-scale crackdown aims to reduce unsolicited communications, protect consumer privacy, and prevent fraudulent activities facilitated through spam calls and SMS messages. The measure is part of the government's ongoing initiative to enforce strict compliance with telecom regulations and curb the misuse of telecom resources by spammers and cybercriminals. With the surge in digital transactions and increased mobile penetration in India, the threat of spam and fraudulent communications has escalated, necessitating stringent actions by regulatory authorities. Background: Rising Spam Threats in India India, one of the largest telecom markets in the w...
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Location: India
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