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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 ...

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...

  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...

  CSS exploited to bypass spam filters and track users. Cybercriminals have discovered a new method to bypass spam filters and track users' actions through Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) , a core technology used to design and format web pages. According to the latest research from Cisco Talos , these malicious actors are taking advantage of CSS properties to manipulate content and compromise users' security and privacy. This alarming development highlights the need for advanced cybersecurity measures to prevent such sophisticated threats. CSS: A New Weapon in Email-Based Attacks CSS, primarily intended for defining the visual layout of web content, has now been weaponized by threat actors to facilitate various malicious campaigns. Talos researcher Omid Mirzaei revealed that attackers are leveraging CSS to track users’ preferences and actions, bypassing traditional spam detection mechanisms. While JavaScript and other dynamic content are typically restricted in email clients, ...

The SGF restaurant franchise, once hailed as a lucrative investment opportunity, has now left many investors in financial turmoil. Promises of guaranteed returns under the FOCO (Franchisee Owned, Company Operated) model have failed to materialize, with franchisees now turning to the legal system to recover their losses. At the center of the controversy is Kewal Ahuja, SGF ’s leader, whose actions are being questioned as investors battle to seek justice for the financial distress they have endured. Kewal Ahuja SGF Franchise SGF Franchise Failure: Broken Promises and Investor Losses Kewal Ahuja’s SGF promised its investors guaranteed monthly returns as part of its franchise model. Under the FOCO system, investors were responsible for setting up the outlets, while SGF operated them. But as outlets began shutting down, including the one in Sector 31, Gurgaon, without prior notice or reimbursement, investors were left with nothing. Their promised earnings vanished, and the company's su...

In a significant development, India has successfully repatriated nearly 300 of its citizens who were trafficked to Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, under the guise of fake job offers. These individuals were forced to work in cybercrime operations and other fraudulent activities in scam centres located along the porous Thailand-Myanmar border. As part of a coordinated international effort to combat the growing issue of cyber scams, the Indian government has facilitated the return of these nationals. The rescue operation was conducted with the support of Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, which worked closely with local authorities to ensure the safe repatriation of victims.      Multinational victims of scam centres Collaboration Across Borders The operation is part of a broader crackdown on cyber scam networks, which have been thriving along the border regions of Thailand and Myanmar. Thousands of people from various countries have been freed from ...

The investigation into the ₹122 crore embezzlement case at New India Cooperative Bank is about to take a significant turn. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police is set to conduct a lie detector test on Hitesh Mehta, the former General Manager (GM) of the bank and the prime accused in the scandal. The test, which has been authorized by the court, is scheduled to take place today at the forensic department’s office. Hitesh Mehta Parallel Investigations and New Developments While the lie detector test is a key part of the investigation, other developments are also progressing in parallel. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has submitted its inspection report on the New India Cooperative Bank to the EOW. The inspection, which took place on February 12, was led by an RBI officer, who has already provided his statement to the authorities. The report is expected to offer further insights into the bank's financial operations and potential red flags. Ongoing Interrogations In...

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police is intensifying its investigation into the Rs 122 crore embezzlement scandal at the New India Co-operative Bank. The focus is now on seizing the assets of the prime accused—banking duo Hiren and Gauri Bhanu—who are believed to have purchased multiple properties using suspected illicit funds. This new development follows revelations that the couple absconded shortly before the scam was uncovered.      Gauri and Hiren Bhanu, the Banker Couple Accused in the Rs 122 Crore Scam. Allegations Against the Bhanu Couple Hiren Bhanu, the former chairman of the bank, and his wife, Gauri Bhanu, who held prominent positions as the acting chairperson and vice-chairperson, are under scrutiny for their role in the embezzlement scheme that spanned between 2019 and 2024. During this period, a sum of Rs 122 crore was siphoned off from the bank with the help of their accomplice, Hitesh Mehta, the former general manager. EOW sources cla...

Kewal Ahuja SGF Fraud   Kewal Ahuja , founder of SGF (Spice Grill Flame) , faces mounting legal troubles as franchise owners and investors bring forward serious allegations of fraud and misrepresentation . Claims against Kewal Ahuja SGF include non-payment of guaranteed returns , abrupt closures of outlets , and misleading business practices . Kewal Ahuja SGF Fraud Exposed: How Investors Were Misled SGF operates under two franchise models: FOFO (Franchise-Owned, Franchise-Operated) and FOCO (Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated) . Investors choosing the FOCO model were promised monthly returns of Rs. 37,500 while SGF managed operations. However, the SGF outlet in Sector 31, Gurgaon , was suddenly shut down , leaving investors with significant financial losses just a year after opening. Misleading Practices and Concealment by Kewal Ahuja SGF Under Kewal Ahuja’s direction , SGF attempted to hide its declining franchise network by rebranding its website, removing transparency on th...

  Siddaramaiah as High Court In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court has rejected a plea seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) scam , providing relief to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah . The petition, which called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe , alleged irregularities in land allocations and financial mismanagement within MUDA during Siddaramaiah’s tenure. However, after reviewing the case, the High Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a CBI inquiry, dismissing the plea. The decision comes as a major reprieve for Siddaramaiah , who had denied any wrongdoing and called the allegations politically motivated . The ruling is expected to have political ramifications , as opposition parties had been using the issue to attack the Congress leader. While the case remains under scrutiny by state authorities, the High Court’s decision marks a temporary relief for Siddarama...

  Bengaluru Man Loses ₹5.6 Lakh in Fake Traffic Challan Scam A 46-year-old man from Byatarayanapura , Bengaluru , fell victim to a cyber scam that resulted in a loss of ₹5.6 lakh after he unknowingly installed a fraudulent mobile application. The scam exploited public trust in government services, tricking the victim into believing the app was an official Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) platform for checking and paying pending traffic fines. The scam began on February 20 when the victim received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number . The message falsely claimed that a traffic violation had been recorded against his vehicle and provided a link to download an app named " VAHAN PARIVAHAN ." It further stated that CCTV cameras had captured the violation , urging him to review the footage through the app. Since the message contained his correct vehicle registration number , the victim assumed it was legitimate and installed the application. However, within 24 hours of inst...

   Lost in Fake GIC Investment Scam Investment fraud is on the rise, with two more victims recently losing a staggering $900,000 and $233,000 to a fraudulent Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) scheme. This growing scam preys on individuals looking for safe and stable returns, often targeting retirees and high-net-worth investors who seek low-risk financial security. Both victims were lured in by what appeared to be legitimate banking offers from reputable financial institutions . The scammers, posing as representatives from well-known banks, provided professional-looking documents, official logos, and seemingly genuine email communications to establish credibility. They promised high returns on GICs , making the investments appear more attractive than standard market offerings. Trusting the legitimacy of the proposal, the victims transferred large sums of money to what they believed were secure bank accounts. However, the deception unraveled when both individuals attempt...