Meesho strikes back against fraudsters exploiting brand for deceptive practices

E-commerce platform Meesho said on Tuesday that it has uncovered and responded to a series of fraudulent activities perpetrated under its brand name.

Fraudsters, resorting to elaborate tactics, circulated forged lottery letters promising lucrative rewards such as free cars in an attempt to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money. In response, Meesho launched a comprehensive on-ground investigation, leading to the filing of two First Information Reports (FIRs) against the perpetrators, one in Kolkata and another in Ranchi.

The Jharkhand state police, following an investigation in Ranchi, apprehended three individuals, including a bank official and a developer. Meanwhile, in North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, four fraudsters were arrested during successful raid actions on January 20, 2024. Investigations are ongoing to ensure justice is served, Meesho said.

Last year, the company approached the Delhi High Court seeking a permanent injunction against fraudulent websites exploiting the Meesho brand. The court's directive led to the prompt deactivation of such dubious platforms by domain name registrars. Additionally, the cyber cell has been tasked with further investigating these fraudsters, freezing associated bank accounts, and initiating punitive measures against them.

Lopamudra Rao, General Counsel at Meesho, highlighted the company's unwavering dedication to user trust and safety. "The safety and trust of our users are of paramount importance to us at Meesho," stated Rao. "We are dismayed by these fraudulent activities that exploit and victimise our users, and we have taken swift and decisive action against these unscrupulous individuals."

“Meesho remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the trust and safety of its users. The company will persistently work to identify and legally address individuals engaged in fraudulent activities that jeopardise the financial well-being of its users,” the company added.