The fake site is identical to the real site and even displays photos of Baba Ramdev on its home page.

Cashing in on the ever-growing popularity of Baba Ramdev's Patanjali products, the cyber criminals have floated fake websites and are duping gullible investors by offering distributorship of the brand for Rs 10 lakh.

The cyber crime branch of Noida Police received a complaint from a trader in Sector 63, who was duped by the website www.patanjalidistributors.org on the pretext of offering dealership of ayurvedic products anywhere in Noida.

A senior police officer said the proprietor of Katyayani Trades in Noida's Sector 63 was contacted by the operator of the alleged fake website and offered distributorship for Rs 10 lakh.

When the owner, R K Verma, paid the money, the cyber criminals stopped responding to his calls and emails.

Following this, a complaint was filed with the cyber cell.

The fake site is identical to the real one and even has pictures of Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and Patanjali products displayed on its home page.

"It is difficult to make out the difference between the real and the fake website," said a senior police officer.

"Be aware of the fake website www.patanjalidistributors.org, offering Patanjali distributorship asking money in lakhs. FIR registered in Noida. Please share to save others," tweeted Vivek Ranjan Rai, head of the cyber wing.

PATANJALI'S WARNING ABOUT FRAUD SITES

Patanjali officials also alerted about similar fraud sites that are duping people on the pretext of selling products, offering jobs and distributorships.

"We are concerned with the recent proliferation of fraudulent and infringing activities of people who are trying to make illegal profit by offering goods, posing as they are part of the Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and its group companies/trust and thereby causing immense damage to the reputation and goodwill of our brands," mentions Patanjali on its website.

Meanwhile, police in its investigation has found that the fake website was created on September 22 and its server has been located in Sector 3, Noida.

Interestingly, the website was being operated from the bordering areas of Orissa and Chhattisgarh. Noida police said the operator of the website has several bank accounts in different states of the country.

"There is a high possibility that the gang is in touch with other people and trying to dupe them. We are close to identifying them and the culprits will be arrested soon," said a police officer.