Impersonation by Franchisor
5 years ago
Hi, I have taken a franchise of an online mobile repair portal. While I have paid all charges mentioned in their quotation for starting the business, the support from the franchise has been very poor. I made contact with other franchise of the same company, and found that they all were facing similar issues with franchisor.
However, the most shocking issue that I came across was that the person who had been dealing with me as Shaad Rahman had met other franchise as Rahul Verma. We all got suspicious about him and the entire company. I asked Shaad Rahman about his real identity and responded that he would do anything to help his business. His comments are available on a WhatsApp chat.
I request advice on if such impersonation is a cognizable offence as per Indian laws? What recourse do I have if the person and the company are found fraud upon full investigation?
Shall continue doing business with them?
I have not yet signed a franchise agreement with them.
Ashish K Dongre
Responded 5 years ago
With the Watts App evidence available with you , you can lodge complaint aginst him. Be aware of him and ask your other business friends.
==========================================================================================================
Section 416 in The Indian Penal Code
416. Cheating by personation.—A person is said to “cheat by personation” if he cheats by pretending to be some other person, or by knowingly substituting one person for another, or representing that he or any other person is a person other than he or such other person really is. Explanation.—The offence is committed whether the individual personated is a real or imaginary person. Illustration
(a) A cheats by pretending to be a certain rich banker of the same name. A cheats by personation.
(b) A cheats by pretending to be B, a person who is deceased. A cheats by personation.
Section 419 in The Indian Penal Code
419. Punishment for cheating by personation.—Whoever cheats by personation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Nirmal Chopra
Responded 5 years ago