Loan From ‘CM Vijay’s Foundation’? Indore Police Uncover New Cyber Scam Here’s How Victims Are Being Trapped

Cybercriminals appear to have found another way to exploit people looking for financial assistance.

Police in Indore are investigating complaints in which fraudsters allegedly used the name of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay, to convince people that they could receive loans or financial assistance through a charitable foundation.

The alleged scheme follows a familiar cybercrime formula but adds a powerful ingredient: the name of a prominent public figure.

According to police, scammers pose as representatives of a foundation supposedly associated with Vijay and approach potential victims through phone calls and messages.

Their promises are difficult to ignore particularly for people urgently searching for money.

Loans, Startup Funding and Study Abroad Assistance Promised

The fraudsters allegedly claim that the foundation provides financial support to poor families as well as people trying to start businesses or pursue education.

Depending on the target, they reportedly offer business loans, education loans, startup funding, subsidies and even financial assistance for people planning to study abroad.

But once a victim expresses interest, the conversation reportedly changes.

The scammers send a purported registration link and ask the person to complete certain formalities. Soon afterwards, demands for payments begin.

Victims are allegedly told that they must first pay charges described as GST fees, verification costs, registration fees or processing charges before the promised financial assistance can be released.

Victims Allegedly Asked to Pay Up to ₹50,000

According to investigators, the amounts demanded can range from a few thousand rupees to as much as ₹50,000 in some instances.

By this stage, victims may already believe that they are dealing with a legitimate charitable organisation because the scammers have allegedly linked their operation to a recognisable political and entertainment personality.

The Indore Crime Branch and Cyber Cell have reportedly received around half a dozen complaints related to the suspected fraud over the past few weeks.

Police are now trying to establish whether all of these complaints originate from the same group.

Why Are Scammers Using Vijay’s Name?

Additional DCP (Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiya said cybercriminals often exploit the names of well-known personalities to establish credibility and gain the confidence of potential victims.

That trust can become the most important weapon in such scams.

An unexpected loan offer from an unknown individual may immediately raise suspicion. But when the same offer is presented as a welfare initiative supposedly connected to a famous public figure, some recipients may be more willing to believe it.

Police are therefore warning people not to consider a scheme genuine simply because it carries the name or photograph of a celebrity, politician or prominent organisation.

Could an Interstate Cybercrime Network Be Involved?

Investigators are examining mobile phone numbers, financial transactions and other digital evidence associated with the complaints.

One of the key questions is whether the operation is limited to a small group of scammers or forms part of a larger interstate cybercrime network.

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The Indore Crime Branch has also established contact with Tamil Nadu Police, with information reportedly being exchanged regarding the alleged misuse of the chief minister’s name and the purported foundation.

The investigation could help authorities identify where the calls originated, where victims’ money was transferred and who ultimately controlled the accounts involved.

Indore Battles Rising Cyber Fraud Complaints

The latest case comes amid wider concern over the growing number of cybercrime complaints being reported in Indore.

Online fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using everything from fake investment opportunities and digital-arrest threats to bogus loan schemes and impersonation scams.

What makes such schemes particularly dangerous is that scammers can quickly change their identities, websites and phone numbers while continuing to use broadly similar tactics.

In this case, the combination of financial assistance and a famous name appears to have been used to lower victims’ suspicions.

Got a Loan Offer? Check Before You Pay

Police have urged people to independently verify any organisation offering a loan, subsidy, grant or financial assistance before making a payment.

Unsolicited messages promising easy money should be treated with particular caution.

People should avoid clicking suspicious registration links or sharing sensitive information such as banking details, OTPs, card information or identity documents unless the organisation’s authenticity has been independently established.

Most importantly, a demand to pay upfront fees before receiving an unexpected loan or grant should be treated as a major warning sign.

Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to cyber fraud should report the transaction as quickly as possible through India’s 1930 cybercrime helpline or the government’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

In cyber fraud cases, acting quickly can matter particularly when authorities attempt to trace or freeze money transferred to suspected fraudulent accounts.