In plain daylight, he is the sarpanch of his village in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. As the village head, he is responsible for resolving disputes and handing out punishment for notoriety. His name evokes fear and respect in the community. But mention the word "Olx" and he immediately clams up. "I don't know what t you are talking about. Don't waste my time," says the 62-year-old on the phone before he hangs up.
The otherwise respectable sarpanch is one among the many in his village who live an alternate persona on online platforms such as Olx, Indiamart, and Quikr. He is also known as the "Olx master" because of his many disguises as a prospective seller of sundry items. There were several arrests in his subdivision of scamsters luring buyers into thefts, where bank details were harvested in the guise of payment for listed items that do not exist. Most CNG fuel stops in Bharatpur have boards with warning signs against "Olx thefts". In the main town, crowded with electrical repair shops and pushcarts selling vegetables, locals respond with wry smiles to inquiries about Olx conmen. "That's practically everyone's side hustle here," says Pushpesh, a mobile shop owner, "First they were cheating people in the name of selling gold bricks and coins, now they have moved to selling home appliances, vehicles and whatnot online, often in the guise of Army personnel." Local cops talk about multiple instances of cyber thugs being accused in Olx frauds, sextortion, or setting up illegal call centres in slums and making off with lakhs in a month. But tip-offs and raids are like walking on eggshells; they constantly warn of violent reactions and counterattacks.
Denne historien er fra July 03, 2022-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 03, 2022-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
