Jitendra Singh, the mastermind behind a nationwide fraud involving fake Tata Zudio outlet franchises, was arrested by Mandsaur Police at Kolkata Airport.

The main accused orchestrated the scam by creating fake websites offering Zudio franchises, targeting victims across the country. The fraud came to light in December 2024 when Suraj Gupta from Mandsaur reported being cheated of Rs 38.67 lakh. The accused demanded more money, raising suspicion.

Jitendra, originally from Bihar, exploited the popularity of Tata Zudio, which ranked second in Google Trends, to attract victims. His operation involved creating fake websites, opening numerous bank accounts across states, and withdrawing money through ATMs using fake SIM cards. His associates, including Sachin, Amish, and Nitesh, helped in withdrawing and laundering the money.

The police traced the fraud to Bihar and West Bengal, with the fake websites linked to these regions. After tracking Jitendra's phone activity, they apprehended him upon his return from Manali. The police discovered 35 linked bank accounts, though all funds had been withdrawn.

During questioning, Jitendra revealed that he had cheated at least five people in the past few months, and his in-laws were aware of his activities but did not stop him.

The police also suspect the involvement of several other relatives and associates, including Jitendra's brother-in-law. Jitendra is currently on police remand until January 20, with investigations continuing into the identities of other accomplices and the financial networks supporting the fraud.