House party emerges as new way to defraud:Bhaskar reporter buys ₹2,000 ticket as undercover participant; money taken but no party held

A new kind of fraud has come to light in Madhya Pradesh, where young people are being cheated in the name of so-called “exclusive house parties”. Scammers post attractive videos on social media and lure youth with offers like “stranger meet”, but no party is actually held. In one such case, a Dainik Bhaskar reporter bought a ticket for a house party in Bhopal. The event was scheduled for December 14 at a resort in the city. At the fixed time, the reporter and over 50 young men and women reached the venue, but there was no party there. The organiser, identified as Saransh Patel, had also deleted the house party page from social media. The special thing is that when the Bhaskar reporter asked the young men and women who were victims of the fraud to complain to the police, they said: ‘Who will bring shame upon themselves?’ How youth are being defrauded in the name of house parties and how they are being trapped in their net. Read the report…. Know how Bhaskar conducted the investigation Clue found through social media
A Bhaskar reporter found a social media ID named ‘Bhopal House Party’. This ID was vigorously promoting a party to be held on December 14. Two or three videos were also uploaded on this ID. In these, girls were seen wearing short dresses. It also showed couples swaying in intoxication, having fun by the pool, and the atmosphere of a hookah lounge. The lure of ‘Stranger Meet’
Its biggest attraction was the concept of ‘Stranger Meet’. Young people were told that it would be a party where pairs of 50 boys and 50 girls would be made. Special games were also promised to facilitate friendships between strangers. It was also written on the page that the party would remain completely confidential. Liked the video, received a message from the admin
When the Bhaskar reporter liked these videos and sent a message on the page, admin Saransh Patel directly contacted the reporter. A conversation took place between the Bhaskar reporter and Saransh Patel regarding this party. Saransh Patel: How can I help? Reporter: I want to join a house party. Saransh Patel: What is your age? Reporter: Why do you need my age? Saransh Patel: People joining our party are between 21 and 35 years old. Reporter: I am also 35 years old. Saransh Patel: Okay, for verification, send your Aadhaar ID and location to my WhatsApp number. Reporter: Why location? Saransh Patel: A person will deliver the party pass to the location where you live. There’s a form in my Insta bio, fill it out and submit it. The Bhaskar reporter filled out the form as per Saransh’s instructions. Patel confirmed it on WhatsApp. After this, he sent a barcode for payment to the reporter’s WhatsApp number. Reporter: How much do I have to pay? Saransh Patel: 2 thousand rupees Reporter: What facilities will be available at the party? Instead of answering, Saransh Patel sent a party brochure. According to the brochure, this party had already taken place on December 7. The brochure stated, ‘Welcome to Bhopal’s private elite circle.’ Only approved guests could be present at this party. The brochure also mentioned the food and drinks to be served at the party. It also offered the facility to bring one’s own liquor bottle. Hookah and a poolside party were also mentioned. This party was held at a luxury farmhouse in Bhopal, the full address of which was not provided. After payment confirmation, it was written – Slot Booked
After completing all formalities, Saransh Patel created a new WhatsApp group named ‘House Party Bhopal’. The Bhaskar reporter was also added to that group, and it was written that all party-related updates would now be given in this group. The group’s status was ‘Only Admin’, meaning other group members could not send their comments on it. When the Bhaskar reporter checked the group, about 50 to 100 numbers had been added to it. It included both girls and boys. After some time, a message appeared on the group – Slot Booked. One day before December 14, i.e., on the evening of December 13, another message appeared on the group, in which the party venue was given. This was a resort located opposite Halalpura Bus Stand. Saransh Patel wrote – This will be tomorrow’s location and entry will start from 3 PM. Party day, youth arrived and were defrauded
On December 14, the day of the party, a Bhaskar reporter reached the resort near Halalpura bus stand in Bhopal. A crowd of young men and women had started gathering here. All of them had come here for the house party. However, upon reaching here, there was no party-like atmosphere. A party was indeed happening, but it was a family function. The youth were looking for Saransh Patel. But, no one was present here. When some youths contacted the resort owner, he flatly denied, stating that no such party had been booked at his place, nor did he have any information about it. Hearing this, the youths were stunned. Instead of protesting, they found it better to leave from there. When the Bhaskar reporter told the youths that they should report it to the police, one of them said, “Oh, who will get into trouble? I came to join the party secretly from my parents.” The Bhaskar reporter spoke to one or two more youths and found out that they had come from Itarsi, Hoshangabad, and Betul to join this party. No one had told their family about this party. Resort owner said – our name was misused
The owner of the resort located in Bairagarh, whose name was used as the venue, told Dainik Bhaskar that throughout December 14, they received many calls and several young people directly reached the resort. They were all asking about a “house party”. He said, “We had no bookings that day. The fraudsters used our resort’s name without our permission, which has damaged our reputation.” Know how this gang operates
This scam is run in a well-planned manner, with full preparation to trap youngsters at every step. 1. Adding to WhatsApp Group: First, youngsters interested in the party are added to a WhatsApp group. This group also has some fake members to create an atmosphere, who show enthusiasm for the party. A sense of urgency is created using words like ‘Limited Entry,’ ‘Book Soon,’ and ‘Exclusive Crowd.’ 2. Form, Fees, and Fake Verification
A Google Form link is provided in the Instagram page’s bio, which is stated as mandatory to fill. Information such as name, number, and age is requested in this form, to give the impression that the party is only for mature individuals. The most dangerous thing is that in the name of age verification, young people are asked for a photo or details of their Aadhaar card. This not only defrauds them of their money but also steals sensitive identity-related information, which could be misused in the future. 3. Disclosure of Payment and Venue
After filling the form, youth are sent a QR code or UPI ID, on which they are asked to make payment. After sending the payment screenshot, they are told that the party venue will be disclosed only on the day of the event to maintain privacy. 4. Deception and Disappearance
On the day of the party, victims are sent a location. When they arrive there, they discover the truth. Meanwhile, the scammers switch off their phones, stop replying to messages on WhatsApp, and within a few hours, the Instagram account is deleted or made inactive. The pattern is the same, only the cities and faces change
The investigation has also revealed that this is not a local gang, but a network that operates on the same pattern in different cities across the country. Before Bhopal, similar reports of fraud have emerged in cities like Indore, Jaipur and Chandigarh. The pattern always remains the same – creating a new Instagram ID, uploading attractive videos, adding youngsters to groups, getting forms filled, taking payments and then disappearing.