Gujarat businessman loses ₹19.35 lakh in solar panel online scam

A businessman in Bhavnagar, Gujarat has reported losing ₹19.35 lakh after being defrauded through a fake solar panel scheme advertised on social media. The trader spotted advertisements for competitively priced solar panels on social platforms and decided to place an order with what appeared to be a legitimate company based in Mumbai.

The alleged fraudulent company requested an advance payment of 40 percent to secure the order. The Bhavnagar businessman transferred ₹19.35 lakh in good faith, only to discover that the promised solar panels would never arrive. The company subsequently became uncontactable, leaving him without recourse.

Investigations later revealed that the scam was not limited to this single victim. Multiple other traders and businessmen had fallen prey to the same scheme, with the fraudulent operators employing identical tactics to extract advance payments. The pattern of deception suggests an organized operation targeting commercial buyers seeking cost-effective renewable energy solutions.

The incident highlights the growing risks associated with online commerce and underscores the need for consumers to exercise caution when making substantial purchases through social media advertisements, particularly when dealing with unverified vendors. Authorities are investigating the matter to identify the perpetrators and recover funds from affected parties.