A 55-year-old Mumbai resident recently became the victim of a Diwali cleaning scam, losing gold ornaments valued at Rs. 4 lakh. The woman had scheduled a cleaning service through a popular mobile app, which dispatched two individuals to her home. These individuals allegedly stole her valuables while performing the cleaning task. The incident raises concerns about the safety and accountability of hiring cleaning services through online platforms. Authorities have apprehended Arbaz Khan, 27, and detained two others for further questioning.
The Theft Incident
Leena Mhatre, a resident of Rishikesh Society in Mumbai’s Dahisar area, booked a cleaning service on October 21 to prepare for the Diwali festivities, using the NoBroker app. The following morning, two men arrived at her home around 9 am to carry out the cleaning. However, after they left, Mhatre discovered that her cupboard had been accessed and her gold jewelry was missing.
Once Mhatre realized the theft, she promptly reported it to the police. Authorities have since arrested 27-year-old Arbaz Khan as the primary suspect. After reviewing CCTV footage, police also identified two others, Santosh Omprakash Yadav and Sufiyan Nazeer Ahmad Soudar, who are currently being questioned.
Investigation and App Regulations
The investigation is ongoing, with police examining whether NoBroker had conducted background checks on the workers before assigning them to the job. Officer Sandip Gorde noted that regulations mandate police verification for service staff, including cleaners, before they are sent into private homes. According to the Free Press Journal, the NoBroker app has since blocked the IDs of the suspects.
“We’re investigating if NoBroker verified these employees before assigning them. The app has deactivated their profiles since the incident,” Gorde told the Lokmat.
The popularity of online cleaning services is rising, yet this incident underscores a troubling lack of regulatory oversight. Many platforms advertise professionalism and reliability but lack transparency regarding employee background checks.
A Cautionary Reminder for Consumers
This case serves as a critical reminder for consumers to be cautious when hiring services through digital platforms, especially in the absence of strict regulatory measures. With Diwali approaching, maintaining vigilance is crucial to avoid similar unfortunate incidents.
