A large-scale fraud involving fake goat farms in Ajmer, Rajasthan, has come to light, with over 3,160 cybercrime complaints filed from victims across India. The scam has caused financial losses of more than ₹2.7 crore, with many more cases suspected to be unreported.

How the Scam Worked

Fraudsters created fake online advertisements and social media pages, showcasing high-quality goats from Ajmer at attractive prices. Many buyers, especially ahead of festivals or for business purposes, transferred advance payments expecting delivery of premium breeds. However, most of them received either poor-quality animals or no delivery at all.

Widespread Impact

The scam has affected goat traders and customers from various parts of the country. Complaints were registered through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which then forwarded the cases to Rajasthan Police.

Police Action So Far

Ajmer’s cyber police have started investigating the fraud:

• Several bank accounts linked to the scam have been frozen.
• Police are verifying the registration and legality of goat farms, especially in areas like Sikar Road and Pushkar Road.
• SP Vandita Rana has ordered closure of unregistered or illegal goat farms involved in the fraud.

Warning from Authorities

Authorities believe that the number of actual victims may be much higher, as many people have not yet come forward. Police have advised all buyers to:

• Verify the authenticity of sellers before making any payments.
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Report any suspicious activities to the cybercrime helpline or nearest police station.