Kerala Battling Rise in Raffle Scams Backed by Social Media Influencers

A recent scheme, promoted by a YouTuber, unravelled when lottery draw attracted fraud allegations

- LAKSHMI ATHIRA @Kannur

KERALA is grappling with a rising wave of raffle scams, many of which thrive due to limited public awareness. These fraudulent operations often enlist social media influencers to promote the lotteries, disguising them as charity initiatives.

A recent incident sparked widespread criticism.

In March, a YouTuber named Pandikkad Kunjan introduced a Malayali family from Coorg in one of his social media videos. The video claimed that a man named Nazar has been forced to sell his family's assets, including their home, to settle financial debts. The public was offered a chance to win the house by buying lottery coupons, prized at ₹1,000 each, and save the family from the crisis. The listed prizes also included a Maruti Jimny and a Royal Enfield Bullet.

However, the scheme unravelled when the lottery draw, held in late May, attracted allegations of fraud.

Supreme Court advocate Sreejith Perumana has since lodged a formal complaint with the Lottery Directorate and the state police chief, urging them to take immediate action against those responsible.