Mangaluru: Chain-link scam targets students; suicide attempt alleged

Mangaluru: Chain-link scam targets students; suicide attempt alleged

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 27, 2026: Serious allegations have surfaced about another “chain-link” company operating in Mangaluru and allegedly cheating students. A Maharashtra-based firm named VEXON is said to be functioning from Kudroli in the city and, over the past two years, has allegedly duped hundreds of people of crores of rupees by promising marketing jobs.

Students who claim to have lost money addressed a press meet at the Mangaluru Press Club, narrating their ordeal. Leaders of NSUI and ABVP student organisations were present and warned that they would continue protests until such fake companies are shut down.

One student said she visited the office after seeing a job advertisement online for web designer and web developer posts. She was told there would be a three-day training with food and accommodation provided, for which she had to pay Rs 2,500. After training, she was promised a monthly salary of Rs 32,000.

“During training, they brainwashed us. They enquired about our family’s financial condition and claimed we could earn lakhs within months,” she alleged.

Later, she was asked to pay Rs 11,000 and was given electronic items, sarees, and cosmetic products. When she said she did not have money, she was allegedly told to take money from home on the pretext of buying a laptop, with assurances of double returns. She pledged her mother’s gold to arrange the amount.

She was then told to enroll three more friends to get her money back. When she failed to bring others, she realised it was a scam. “Items worth Rs 100 were sold to us for Rs 1,000. When I demanded my money back, they refused,” she said. She alleged that when she threatened to file a police complaint, a few Kadri police personnel were present at the office.

Unable to face her family over the lost money, the student said she attempted suicide by going to the Netravati river. A friend intervened over a phone call and advised her to file a police complaint instead. She later returned to the office, threatened self-harm, and after sustained pressure, managed to get her money back. She claimed many other college students are still trapped.

Another student said more than 50 students from various colleges are currently associated with the company. She alleged that students, especially from poor backgrounds, are being targeted and asked to pay Rs 51,000. Recruits are allegedly discouraged from contacting outsiders during “training,” and told they would earn returns by enrolling two more members.

She said she had taken a loan to pay Rs 51,000 after being promised a web designer job and salary post-training. Later, she was told she would receive Rs 11,000 per referral if she brought in two more members. Realising the fraud, she approached her college principal, who advised filing a police complaint. A complaint has since been lodged at Kadri police station.

Student leaders alleged that the company has been cheating youth in Mangaluru for two years. They questioned how such activities continued despite local authorities’ knowledge and alleged that even the building owner supported the company, citing rental income and trade licence claims.

NSUI leader Christen Menezes demanded immediate closure of the firm, questioning police inaction despite repeated exposure of such fake companies in the city. Others present at the press meet included student representatives and activists.