Shocking : 100 Crore Scam With Donkey Milk

In what's emerging as a cautionary tale for investors in the agriculture sector, a group from Tamil Nadu, known as "Donkey Palace," has allegedly swindled hundreds of farmers across several Indian states out of an estimated ₹100 crore. This scam leveraged the burgeoning interest in donkey milk, often lauded for its nutritional benefits and immunity-boosting properties, as bait to entrap farmers seeking profitable agricultural ventures.

Farmers were lured into this scheme with the promise of lucrative returns from donkey milk, which is in high demand for its purported health benefits. They were required to invest a hefty security deposit of ₹5 lakh each, besides purchasing dairy donkeys at prices ranging from ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. The company, operating on a franchise model, committed to buying back the milk at ₹1,600 per liter. Initially, to build trust, payments were made for the first three months. However, farmers have not received any payment for the past 18 months for the milk supplied, leaving them burdened with additional costs for maintenance, construction of sheds, staff wages, and veterinary care.

The situation escalated when attempts to address the issue with "Donkey Palace" resulted in farmers being issued bounced cheques valued between ₹15 lakh and ₹70 lakh. This scam has affected over 400 farmers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, leading to a collective loss of around ₹100 crore. There are whispers of political figures being implicated in this scandal. Despite filing complaints with the Chennai police, the farmers' pleas have gone unheard, with even the GST number and FSSAI license shown during the agreement revealed as fraudulent.

Farmers caught in this predicament have voiced their desperation, stating, "When we confronted them, they issued us cheques ranging from ₹15 lakh to ₹70 lakh. However, the cheques bounced when we deposited them in the bank. Over 400 farmers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have been cheated in this scam, leading to a loss of around ₹100 crore. There are suspicions of political involvement. We filed a complaint at a Chennai police station, but the police didn't take any action. Even the GST number and FSSAI license provided during the agreement were found to be fake. We urge the Chief Ministers of Telugu states to intervene and deliver justice. Otherwise, we are left with no option but to resort to suicide."

The plight of these farmers highlights the risks involved in unconventional agricultural investments and the importance of rigorous due diligence. It also underscores the urgent need for effective legal and governmental intervention to prevent such frauds from occurring. With farmers threatening drastic measures in the face of their losses, the call for justice grows louder, demanding immediate attention from authorities to address this grievous injustice.