Fake inspector or municipal fine on the shop
Someone posing as a food, weights or municipal inspector threatens to seal the shop unless a fine is paid on the spot.
Community reports: 0
How it works
- One or two people walk into your shop, or call ahead, saying they are food safety, weights and measures or municipal inspectors, sometimes with an ID card or letter.
- They point to a fault, such as an expired licence or an unstamped weighing scale, and threaten to seal the shop or file a case.
- They offer to "settle" it if you pay a fine on the spot in cash or by UPI, with no proper receipt.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
We are from the food department. Your licence has expired and the kitchen is dirty. Either we seal it now or you pay Rs 10,000 fine here itself.
Weights and measures check. Your scale is not stamped. Pay Rs 5,000 on this QR now and we will not file a case.
Red flags
- Fine paid on the spot, no receipt
- UPI to a personal number
- Threat to seal the shop immediately
- No written notice or order
The one question to ask
Will they give you a written notice with their name, office and a receipt you can check at the department?
Already paid or shared details?
Write down their names, ID details, vehicle number and the time, keep any CCTV footage, and report it at your local police station and to the department they named. If you paid by UPI, also call 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Fake pollution or fire safety inspector
- Fake labour department inspector
- Fake trade licence renewal agent