Rakuten Group Inc’s technology hub and development center, Rakuten India Enterprise Pvt. Ltd., has issued a warning to the public about a fraudulent scheme under the guise of an entity named, R-ole.
Upon uncovering unauthorized activities, its brand and leadership activities were found to be exploited through a scam demanding personal funds under deceitful pretenses.
Telegram and WhatsApp are the two main platforms this scam is seen to be spreading through. It involved over 17,000 subscribers and fake invitations for a non-existent office tour dated April 1st to 3rd.
Activities planned for the office tour and invitations using Rakuten India’s office address continue to circulate through a fake document called, Activity Flow Sheet.
Rakuten India said that no activities regarding the tour were planned in its India office.
Rakuten India advised the public to stay alert and report on any suspicious activity related to the scam, R-ole, to concerned police authorities.
Rakuten India assured that it has taken a firm stand to tackle the unauthorized usage of its brand and asserted that it never asks for financial contributions or personal banking details for any purpose.
Upon the discovery of individuals being duped into an ostensible “R-OLE Business Plan” that falsely claims a partnership with Rakuten India and other reputed brands, Rakuten India has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Cyber Crime Police.
A comprehensive investigation is active, and expedient measures are being taken to curb these criminal acts.