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2 clusters · 4 sources · 4 days · First seen 14 days ago · Last updated 11 days ago

Cryptocurrency investment scam in Tamil Nadu

Overview

Residents in the Madurai and Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu have engaged in widespread protests following a massive cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scam. The fraud, involving mobile applications such as ‘FQL Exchange’ and a ‘VG scheme’, allegedly defrauded victims of over Rs 100 crore, with later reports suggesting losses may exceed Rs 1,000 crore. The scheme targeted rural populations, including women and daily-wage laborers, by promising to double investments within 40 to 45 days.

As the situation escalated, the death of a young man named Rasu, who had acted as an agent for the firm, led to road blockades and a police lathi charge to disperse crowds. More than 35,000 complaints have been filed across the Dindigul, Sivaganga, and Madurai districts. In Madurai, over 100 victims filed formal complaints at the District Collectorate, reporting the loss of life savings, including funds intended for temple construction and money obtained by pawning jewelry.

Law enforcement actions have increased over time. While initial reports noted the arrest of 12 individuals and the identification of a suspect named Ranjith, subsequent developments saw 20 agents arrested and 13 bank accounts frozen. The mobile applications have since been shut down, leaving investors unable to access their funds. The case has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing, while key figures Ranjith and Arun remain at large. Politician Anbumani Ramadoss has criticized the police for failing to prevent such recurring financial scams.

Entities

Dindigul · N Devanathan · Rasumadurai · Tamil Nadu Police · Rasu

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The FQL company allegedly defrauded people of approximately 1,000 crore rupees. www.vikatan.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The company promised to double investments by trading in cryptocurrency and Bitcoin share markets. www.vikatan.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities have arrested six individuals, including an agent named Anita, while the main suspect, Ranjith, remains at large. www.vikatan.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A young man named Rasu from Dindigul committed suicide after losing money in the FQL scam. www.vikatan.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Anbumani Ramadoss criticized the police for failing to prevent such recurring financial frauds in Tamil Nadu. www.vikatan.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Over 100 people submitted complaints at the Madurai District Collectorate regarding the FQL and VG Trading mobile apps. www.vikatan.com

Timeline

11 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
FQL investment scam allegedly defrauds investors of 1,000 crore rupees
The FQL and VG Trading mobile apps allegedly defrauded investors of 1,000 crore rupees in Tamil Nadu via crypto promises, leading to a suicide and widespread public protests.
14 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Madurai and Dindigul residents protest multi-crore cryptocurrency scam
Thousands of victims in Tamil Nadu's Madurai and Dindigul districts have protested a multi-crore cryptocurrency Ponzi scam involving the FQL Exchange app, leading to 12 arrests.

Sources

cinema.vikatan.com · dtnext.in · newindianexpress.com · vikatan.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history