A shocking scam in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has left dozens of elderly victims defrauded of approximately ₹35 crore by a couple who claimed to possess an ‘Israel-made time machine’ capable of reversing the effects of aging.
The Dubeys’ Deceptive Therapy Center
Rajeev Kumar Dubey and his wife, Rashmi Dubey, operated their fraudulent activities from a so-called therapy center named Revival World in the Kidwai Nagar area of Kanpur. The couple lured senior citizens with promises of rejuvenation through a miraculous ‘time machine’ they claimed to have imported from Israel.
The Pitch: Age Reversal Through Oxygen Therapy
The Dubeys marketed their scheme as a solution to the adverse effects of pollution, asserting that their oxygen therapy could restore youthfulness. They offered enticing packages: ₹6,000 for ten sessions and ₹90,000 for a three-year reward system.
Senior police official Anjali Vishwakarma stated, “They convinced gullible elderly individuals that too much pollution in the air was accelerating their aging process, and with their therapy, they could regain their youth in just a few months.”
A Pyramid Scheme Unveiled
As the investigation unfolds, it has come to light that the Dubeys transformed their operation into a pyramid scheme. Victims were incentivized to recruit others into the program, promising them free sessions for each new customer they brought in.
One victim, Renu Singh Chandel, reported losing a staggering ₹10.75 lakh to the scam. She claimed that the couple’s deceptive practices extended to numerous other individuals, with police estimating that around 25 couples fell victim to their con.
The Hunt for the Dubeys
The couple is currently on the run, with authorities fearing they may have fled the country. A search operation is underway, and airports have been alerted to prevent them from escaping. The investigation continues as police aim to bring the Dubeys to justice and recover the defrauded funds for their victims.