Scam in Air Conditioner Sales: 24-Year-Old Fraheen Jootun Betrayed by Bank Transfers

A resident of Dagotière has been arrested for a scam on TikTok involving fake air conditioners sold at rock-bottom prices. Seven victims have been identified, with a total loss of Rs 40,825.

An online scam regarding the sale of discounted air conditioners led to the arrest of a Dagotière resident by the police on Tuesday. Bibi Fraheen Jootun, 24 years old, is accused of receiving payments through bank transfers in at least seven documented cases, totaling Rs 40,825 in losses.

For some time now, an advertisement video has been circulating on social media, luring customers eager to purchase air conditioners. The alleged seller, "Ti prix electro-meubles," had posted an enticing promotion on their TikTok page: "Buy one get one free." Purchasing a Hisense air conditioner with a capacity of 24,000 BTU allowed customers to receive a second one with a capacity of 12,000 BTU as a gift. Many people attempted to seize this opportunity to enjoy better comfort during the ongoing heatwave.

On January 16, Le Défi Quotidien exposed this scheme in its columns, naming Bibi Fraheen Jootun as one of the beneficiaries of the bank transfers. Meanwhile, several police stations in the North and East of the island, including those in Terre-Rouge, Triolet, Trou-aux-Biches, and Flacq, had recorded complaints against the young woman.

Bibi Fraheen Jootun is also accused of having received payments for the sale of sanitary appliances, table sets, and chairs, among other items. Following seven documented cases of fraud and the acquisition of bank statements indicating several money transfers to Fraheen Jootun's account, the Northern Divisional Crime Intelligence Unit (DCIU) was able to locate the suspect on Tuesday.

Thus, this Dagotière resident was arrested and provisionally charged with fraud. She is currently being held in police custody. The police are actively searching for her accomplice.