[Resolved]  Shine.com — Uninformed payment Rs.35,041 taken from me fraudulently

Address:

BPTP Park centra 11th, Opp 32nd Milestone, Jal Vayu Vihar, Sector 30, Gurgaon, Haryana - 122002

I registered on portal of shine.com and next day I received a call from an executive (‭+[protected]‬) who asked me to make payment of Rs. 4601 as one time registration fee for usage of the services by Shine.com. I am looking for a serious job change from Delhi to Kolkata as my aged mother is in Kolkata and unwell and detected with neuro-damage and possible Parkinson’s disease. When the executive asked me for my reason for job change, I informed him all these details. As my need to go back to Kolkata In the long run and tend to my ailing mother was imminent and more important, I thought I would pay the Rs. 4601 which was not so much, if it helped in my getting a job in Kolkata. So I paid Rs. 4601 with my debit card and transaction ID for same was IN20200611_342060_145218.

Thereafter, I received one more call from another executive (‭+[protected]‬) for confirmation of payment and informed me there would be no further payments, told me they have assigned another executive (Shailesh) for assisting in my recruitment. Thereafter, Shailesh called me (‭+[protected]‬) and had 1 hour discussion with me during which he discussed my job details and prospects in Kolkata. He informed that there would be one more small payment which would be final but he is not aware of the amount and it will only be shown to me from the link shared by him on my email. I checked the new link and it showed an amount of Rs. 6, 478. As I had already paid earlier amount of Rs. 4, 601 and I seriously needed to get a job in Kolkata to tend to my aged ailing mother, I agreed to pay the additional Rs. 6, 478 as per the link shared. So I paid this amount also with my debit card. Thereafter, after asking further questions about my job profile and expected salary and profile, Shailesh again shared a link from shine.com for payment. I asked him time and again how much more money I have to give, so that I am able to take a call now and not later after I have already paid thousands in bits and pieces, but he told me he cannot see the amount only I can. When I opened the link it demanded Rs. 8, 495 so I expressed my suspicion for the same. But Shailesh assured that it is a small amount and won’t matter once I have got the job in Kolkata and am able to take care of my ailing mother. Basically, he took advantage of my helplessness and coaxed me into paying the said amounts. I further requested him to refund the amount already paid as I would not be able to pay anymore money. But he point blank refused saying that the amount deducted by Shine is non refundable. As I had already paid Rs. 11, 079 so far, I thought I could pay Rs. 8, 495 more so that my application is processed and the amount that I had already paid does not get wasted. So I paid additional Rs. 8, 495 and requested Shailesh to proceed with my application.

Thereafter, he shared another link with me and said it is the final amount to be paid and no further payment would be required. On opening the link, I saw Rs. 15, 467 is being demanded. As I had already paid a non refundable fee of Rs. 19, 574 I was forced to make the so called final payment of Rs. 15, 467 so that my previously paid amount does not go to waste. Had I know at the beginning that I would have to pay such a huge amount I would never have ventured out with this exercise in the first place. But the company duped me into believing that there is a one time fee of Rs. 4, 601 for lifetime and misled me into making the payments in installments.

After I paid the fresh demand of Rs. 15, 467 Shailesh shared yet another link with me calling it to be the final one. When I opened that link I found that I had to pay Rs. 23, 000 more! That was the tipping point for me and I told him clearly that I have already paid Rs. 35, 041 and I will not make any further payment and that Shine.com should refund my money.

In the beginning I was told that only Rs. 4, 601 is to be paid as a one time fee, and I paid that fee with that understanding. At the very beginning, had I known or been made aware by the company that I have to pay such a huge amount, I would not have even paid the initial amount or availed the service. But the company played very cunningly and only took the money in installments and that too non refundable so that the victim keeps paying the money to avoid wastage of the previously paid money. It originally started with Rs. 4, 601 and I ultimately ended up paying Rs. 35, 041 and three were further asking for Rs. 23, 000 more!! This is absolutely unfair and against consumer interest. This is a way to dupe innocent job seekers and blackmail them into paying more and more money till they give up. If I did not stop paying at 23, 000 god knows upto how much amount they would have stretched their demands. This is nothing but extortion under IPC.

Please take suitable action against this entity and I want my refund of money. I am a lawyer and will not hesitate to take legal action immediately, not to mention that this nuisance will be exposed on social media and newspapers in large numbers.