THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (India CSR): A massive corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund scam has come to light in Kerala, with over 1,343 cases registered so far, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The scam, which lured people with fake promises of discounted scooters, laptops, and sewing machines, resulted in fraud amounting to Rs 281.43 crore, affecting nearly 50,000 individuals across the state.
How the Scam Operated
According to CM Vijayan, the accused falsely claimed that CSR funds from corporations were being used to offer two-wheelers, laptops, and sewing machines at half price. They gained the trust of the public by sharing pictures with well-known personalities, giving their scheme a sense of legitimacy.
- Scooter Scheme: Out of 49,386 people who paid for two-wheelers, only 16,438 received them.
- Laptop Scheme: From 36,891 individuals who paid ₹9.22 crore, only 29,897 received laptops.
- Sewing Machine Scheme: Out of 56,082 people who paid ₹23.24 crore, only 53,478 got sewing machines.
The fraudsters strategically delivered products in the initial phase to gain the confidence of more buyers, but as the number of victims increased, the scam collapsed, leaving many empty-handed.
Crime Branch Takes Over Investigation
The Kerala Crime Branch, under the leadership of ADGP (Crime Branch), has taken charge of 665 cases related to the scam. The prime accused, Anandhu Krishnan, was arrested along with several others, including:
- K.N. Ananda Kumar, Chairman of the National NGO Confederation
- Ravi Panackal
- P.P. Basheer
- Riyas
- Muhammed Shafi
Investigators have identified 23 bank accounts linked to the accused and their various institutions. Court proceedings to attach their properties have already begun.
Political Links Under Investigation
CM Vijayan stated that the involvement of political leaders in the scam is yet to be confirmed and will only be determined after a detailed investigation. Authorities are looking into how high-profile endorsements and political connections may have played a role in the fraud.
Victims Speak Out
Many victims trusted the scheme after seeing others receive scooters and laptops in the early phases. However, those who joined later never received their products, despite making full payments. When complaints started piling up, the scam unraveled, leading to mass arrests and an extensive police probe.
Public Awareness and Police Limitations
CM Vijayan stressed the need for public awareness to prevent similar scams in the future. He pointed out that police action is limited unless there is concrete evidence of wrongdoing. He urged people to be cautious and verify legitimacy before making payments for schemes that seem too good to be true.
(India CSR)
